The following is a report on the proceedings in the I, II, III and IV committee sessions. During the lively debates and discussion of solutions, these were the major points brought up by the delegations present. The committee covered the topic of: ‘Africa’s New Age: the Energy Climate Conundrum’.
Day 1:
On the first day of the African Leadership Academy Model United Nations conference, delegates from various African countries gathered for the opening ceremony. Among them were representatives from Angola, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, who were eager to engage in discussions and debates centered around the theme of the conference, “New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD): Strengthening Youth Leadership for Sustainable Development.” The keynote speaker of the ceremony was Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank. In his speech, Dr. Adesina highlighted the need for youth leadership in Africa, calling on young Africans to take up leadership roles in their respective countries to drive development and progress. He emphasized the importance of innovation, technology, and digitalization in advancing the continent’s economy and urged the youth to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the digital age.
Following the opening ceremony, the delegates were divided into their respective committees, with the NEPAD committee being one of them. The committee sessions began with an ice-breaking session, where the delegates introduced themselves and shared their expectations for the conference. The ice-breaking session helped to create a conducive atmosphere for discussion and provided an opportunity for the delegates to interact with one another. The NEPAD committee sessions were moderated by experienced facilitators who provided guidance and ensured that the discussions remained focused on the assigned topics. The delegates engaged in robust discussions centered around the challenges facing the implementation of NEPAD and proposed solutions to overcome these challenges.
The delegates from Angola emphasized the need for regional cooperation and the creation of a common framework for the implementation of NEPAD. They noted that NEPAD could only be successful if there
was collaboration between countries in the region. The delegates from Zimbabwe, on the other hand, highlighted the need for capacity-building and the involvement of local communities in the implementation process. They noted that the success of NEPAD depended on the participation of local communities, who were the primary beneficiaries of the program. The delegates from Morocco proposed the establishment of a NEPAD fund to finance the implementation of NEPAD projects. They noted that the lack of funding was one of the major challenges facing the implementation of NEPAD and proposed that a dedicated fund be established to support the program. Overall, the first day of the conference was a success. The delegates were enthusiastic about the discussions and debates, and they demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues facing Africa. The opening ceremony set the tone for the conference, and the discussions in the NEPAD committee showed that the delegates were ready to engage in meaningful conversations and propose innovative solutions to drive development and progress in Africa.
Day 2:
The second day of the African Leadership Academy Model United Nations conference began with a sense of urgency as the chairperson of the conference had been kidnapped by terrorists overnight. The incident sent shock waves through the conference, and the delegates were called upon to rise to the occasion and find a solution to the crisis. As the delegates gathered for the committee sessions, they were briefed on the situation and asked to come up with a resolution that addressed the crisis. The NEPAD committee, in particular, was tasked with finding a solution to the crises of the price of carbon colonialism in a manner that wouldn’t affect others.
The delegates from Angola, Zimbabwe, and Morocco quickly got to work, debating various solutions and strategies. The delegates from Angola proposed a regional approach, calling for an African-wide carbon tax to be implemented to combat carbon colonialism. They argued that this approach would help reduce the impact of carbon emissions on the environment while also providing an incentive for businesses to switch to cleaner energy sources. The delegates from Zimbabwe took a different approach, advocating for greater investment in green technology and infrastructure. They argued that by investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, African countries could reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and lessen the impact of carbon colonialism on the environment.
The delegates from Morocco proposed a combination of these two approaches, calling for the establishment of a NEPAD fund to finance the transition to cleaner energy sources and the implementation of a carbon tax to discourage the use of fossil fuels. They argued that this approach would be both economically and environmentally sustainable, providing a long-term solution to the crises of carbon colonialism. As the debate continued, the urgency of the situation became increasingly apparent. The delegates realized that time was of the essence, and they needed to act quickly to find a solution. In the end, they agreed to a compromise resolution that combined elements of all three proposals. The resolution called for the establishment of a NEPAD fund to finance the transition to cleaner energy sources and the implementation of a carbon tax to discourage the use of fossil fuels.
The delegates also emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing the crises of carbon colonialism, calling on developed countries to provide financial and technological support to African countries in their transition to cleaner energy sources. They agreed that this was a global issue
that required a global solution, and they called on all countries to work together to find a sustainable path forward. Despite the challenges presented by the crisis, the delegates showed remarkable leadership and teamwork, coming together to find a solution to the crises of carbon colonialism. The incident served as a powerful reminder of the importance of youth leadership in Africa and the need for young Africans to take up the mantle of leadership and work together to build a better future for all.
Day 3:
During the third day of the African Leadership Academy Model United Nations conference, a press conference was held where delegates had the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences. I had the chance to interview three delegates, each from a different country: Angola, Zimbabwe, and Morocco. Here is a summary of the interview: First, I spoke to the delegate from Angola, Maria. When asked about her thoughts on the NEPAD committee session, she expressed her enthusiasm for the discussions and how the committee was able to identify the key challenges facing the implementation of NEPAD. Maria emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in tackling these challenges, stating that a common framework is needed for the effective implementation of NEPAD projects. She also spoke about the need for more investment in infrastructure to support the implementation of NEPAD goals.
Next, I spoke to the delegate from Zimbabwe, Tariro. She shared her thoughts on the role of youth in implementing NEPAD, stating that young people have a crucial role to play in shaping the future of the continent. Tariro emphasized the need for capacity-building and education to ensure that young people have the necessary skills and knowledge to participate effectively in the implementation process. She also spoke about the importance of involving local communities in the implementation of NEPAD projects, stating that this would help to ensure that projects are aligned with the needs and priorities of the people.
Finally, I spoke to the delegate from Morocco, Hassan. When asked about the proposed solutions to the challenges facing the implementation of NEPAD, he emphasized the need for a NEPAD fund to finance the implementation of projects. He stated that the fund could be set up with contributions from member states, private sector partners, and international organizations. Hassan also spoke about the importance of regional integration and cooperation, stating that this would help to ensure that NEPAD projects are aligned with the broader development goals of the continent.
Overall, the interviews with the three delegates highlighted the diverse perspectives and ideas that were present at the conference. It was clear that all three delegates were passionate about the implementation of NEPAD and had valuable insights to contribute to the discussions. Their ideas and suggestions were reflective of the broader themes that emerged from the NEPAD committee session, including the need for regional cooperation, capacity-building, and involving local communities in the implementation process.
It was inspiring to see the level of engagement and commitment from the delegates, who were eager to work together to tackle the challenges facing the continent. The interviews with the delegates also highlighted the importance of youth leadership and the role of young people in shaping the future of Africa. It was clear that the delegates recognized the potential of NEPAD to drive the continent towards a more sustainable and prosperous future, and we’re committed to making this a reality.
In conclusion, the interviews with the three delegates were a testament to the rich and diverse perspectives present at the African Leadership Academy Model United Nations conference. The delegates from
Angola, Zimbabwe, and Morocco each brought their unique perspectives and ideas to the discussions, reflecting the broader themes and ideas that emerged from the NEPAD committee session. It was clear that the delegates were passionate and committed to making a positive impact in their respective countries and on the continent as a whole. The interviews provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the implementation of NEPAD, and highlighted the critical role of youth leadership in driving Africa towards a brighter future.
Day 4
On day 4 of the African Leadership Academy Model United Nations conference, the main event was the Assembly of Head of States session. The session was attended by all the delegates from the various committees, and it was presided over by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The delegates had the opportunity to present their resolutions to the Assembly and to engage in debates with their fellow delegates. The NEPAD committee presented their resolution to the Assembly, which was focused on addressing the challenges of implementing NEPAD in the African continent. The resolution emphasized the need for regional cooperation, capacity-building, and the involvement of local communities in the implementation process. The delegates from Angola, Zimbabwe, and Morocco worked collaboratively to develop the resolution, and it was well received by the Assembly. The delegates from other committees also presented their resolutions to the Assembly. The delegates from the Economic Commission for Africa committee presented a resolution on promoting economic growth and development in Africa. The resolution emphasized the need for investment in infrastructure, education, and technology. The delegates from the United Nations Security Council committee presented a resolution on peacekeeping operations in Africa. The resolution proposed strategies to strengthen peacekeeping missions and to address the root causes of conflicts in the continent. The Assembly engaged in debates on the various resolutions, with delegates expressing their opinions and proposing amendments to the resolutions. The debates were lively and constructive, and they demonstrated the delegates’ commitment to finding solutions to the challenges facing the African continent. Aside from the Assembly, there was also a Diplomatic Round Table session that took place on the same day. The session was attended by diplomats from various African countries, who engaged in discussions on the challenges facing the continent and proposed strategies to address them. The discussions were focused on issues such as economic development, security, and political stability. The Diplomatic Round Table provided an opportunity for the delegates to engage with experienced diplomats and to learn from their experiences. The discussions were informative and thought-provoking, and they helped to broaden the delegates’ understanding of the challenges facing Africa.
In conclusion, the African Leadership Academy Model United Nations conference was a culmination of the discussions and debates that had taken place in the various committees over the preceding days. The Assembly of Head of States session provided an opportunity for the delegates to present their resolutions and engage in constructive debates with their fellow delegates. The Diplomatic Round Table session provided an opportunity for the delegates to engage with experienced diplomats and to learn from their experiences. Overall, the conference was a success, and it demonstrated the delegates’ commitment to finding solutions to the challenges facing Africa.
This has been Dawit Belayhun Kibebew, reporting live from Daily Nation, Kenya.