GMUN Secretariat Officials
The United Nations Department of Public Information has selected the following nine students to be members of the Secretariat for the Global Model United Nations conference:
The nine Secretariat Officials are:
Mr. Roberto Vinicius Pereira da Silva Gama (Brazil)
Ms. Hannah Moosa (Canada)
Ms. Gong Ting (People's Republic of China)
Mr. Penu Dennis Korbla Amego (Ghana)
Mr. Syed Muhammad Nishat-Ul-Hassan Kazmi (Pakistan)
Ms. Aneliya Nazirova (Russian Federation)
Mr. Daniel Walter (Switzerland)
Ms. Ainan Samafilan Abdillah (Tanzania)
Mr. Jin-Soo Daniel Huh (United States of America)
The Secretariat officials were selected following a worldwide call for applications from students who met the criteria set out in the guide on the
Selection of Secretariat Officials and General Assembly Officials which was posted online and sent to all university Model UN programmes/conferences on our Model UN database.
The GMUN Secretariat officials will attend a workshop at UN Headquarters which will enhance their knowledge and skills required to undertake the leadership roles for the Global Model UN conference. The Secretariat positions are: Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, three Under-Secretaries-General and Committee Secretaries of four of the General Assembly’s Main Committees.
Description of Secretariat Positions
SECRETARY-GENERAL
The post of the United Nations Secretary-General is equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. The Charter describes the Secretary-General as "chief administrative officer" of the Organization, who shall act in that capacity and perform "such other functions as are entrusted" to him/her by the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and other United Nations organs. The Secretary-General must take careful account of the concerns of Member States and he/she must also uphold the values and moral authority of the United Nations, and speak and act for peace, even at the risk, from time to time, of challenging or disagreeing with those same Member States.
The UN Secretary-General’s day-to-day work includes attendance at sessions of United Nations bodies; consultations with world leaders, government officials, and others; and worldwide travel intended to keep him/her in touch with the peoples of the Organization. Each year, the Secretary-General issues a report on the work of the United Nations that appraises its activities and outlines future priorities. During the General Assembly, the Secretary-General may attend all meetings of the General Assembly, its committees and its subcommittees. He/She may designate a member of the Secretariat to act in his/her place at these meetings. He/She also shall provide and direct the staff required by the General Assembly and any committees or subsidiary organs which it may establish. One of the most vital roles played by the Secretary-General is the use of his/her "good offices" - steps taken publicly and in private, drawing upon his/her independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.
Prior to, and during the Global Model UN Conference, the Global Model UN Conference’s Secretary-General will be responsible for:
- Leading effectively the team of Global Model UN Secretariat members and overseeing the planning of all aspects of the conference in collaboration with UN DPI Planning Committees;
- Managing Global Model UN Secretariat members by assigning tasks to ensure an efficient and successful conference;
- Providing substantive guidance on the issues to be discussed at the Global Model UN conference and convening meetings with his/her staff to plan and implement decisions;
- Seeking assistance from the Global Model UN Under-Secretaries-General in drafting the Secretary-General’s report to be presented to the General Assembly plenary on the theme of the conference
- Preside over the plenary alongside the Global Model UN President of the General Assembly;
- Presenting reports to the Global Model UN General Assembly Committees;
- Communicating regularly with his/her senior Global Model UN staff to ensure that the Assembly’s affairs are well managed;
- Updating the DPI Executive Committee on all and any developments; and
- Drafting a final report to be handed in to DPI on the outcomes of the Global Model UN conference committees, Secretariat roles and duties, including recommendations and best practices.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The post of Deputy Secretary-General was established by the General Assembly at the end of 1997 as part of the reform of the United Nations, to help manage Secretariat operations and to ensure coherence of activities and programmes. The purpose was also to elevate the Organization's profile and leadership in the economic and social spheres. The Deputy Secretary-General assists the Secretary-General with the task of raising the profile and leadership of the United Nations, representing the Secretary-General at conferences, official functions, ceremonial and other occasions as deemed necessary by the Secretary-General, and acting for the Secretary-General in his/her absence.
For the Global Model United Nations Conference, the role of the Deputy Secretary-General will include, but is not limited to:
- Supporting the work of the Global Model UN Secretary- General and representing him/her at the plenary sessions and in the Global Model UN GA Committees, if required;
- Assisting the Global Model UN Secretary-General in managing the operations of the Global Model UN Secretariat, in addition to all preparations for the conference;
- Assisting the Global Model UN Secretary-General in managing the staff to ensure the smooth functioning of the conference;
- Coordinating with the Global Model UN Secretary-General in the preparation of his/her report to the General Assembly Plenary; and
- Communicating regularly with Global Model UN Secretary-General on all and any developments
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General is responsible for the overall management, supervision and administration of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. For the Global Model UN Conference, he/she will:
- Provide the Global Model UN Secretary-General with information and research support on the substantive issues related to the theme of the conference;
- Work closely with the Global Model UN Committee Secretaries to ensure that they are well prepared for their roles in support of the Bureaux of the Global Model UN Committees (Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Rapporteur).
- Be available, when called upon, to represent the Global Model UN Secretary-General at meetings that address the substantive issues of the conference;
- Be expected to be knowledgeable about the conference theme to provide guidance, as needed, in the Global Model UN GA Committees; and
- Communicate regularly with the Global Model UN Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General on all and any developments related to the conference.
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY AFFAIRS AND CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General heads all the activities related to the General Assembly and Conference Management, including the establishment of conference management policies, practices, standards and procedures and the allocation of resources.
For the Global Model United Nations, the Under-Secretary-General will be responsible for:
- Managing the details of the logistics of the Global Model UN committees;
- Ensuring the efficient management of all meetings, including all conference services – the content and issuance of the daily journal, the timely availability and distribution of documents, translations and interpretation, speakers’ lists and the staffing support for each meeting;
- Creating and overseeing the process of drafting and finalizing resolutions to ensure the timely availability of the final resolution/s for adoption at the end of the conference;
- Providing support for the work of the Committee Secretaries;
- Supervising volunteer staff that will serve as part of the conference logistics team;
- Monitoring the room set-ups for Opening/Closing ceremonies, as well as for the committees;
- Welcoming delegates to the Global Model UN Conference by distributing registration packets; and
- Communicating regularly with the DPI Global Model UN Logistics Committee, the Global Model UN Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General on all and any conference developments.
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs heads the Department of Political Affairs (DPA). The Department plays a special role in the efforts at peacemaking and preventive diplomacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict around the globe. It monitors and assesses global political developments; advises the UN Secretary-General on actions that could advance the use of peace; provides support and guidance to UN peace envoys and political missions in the field; serves Member States directly through electoral assistance and through the support of DPA staff to the work of the Security Council and other UN bodies.
During the Global Model UN Conference, the GMUN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs will:
- Advise the Global Model UN Secretary-General on any political issues that may arise during the conference;
- Be required to be very knowledgeable about major political issues on the UN’s agenda, including the work of the Security Council;
- Must be able to act on a timely manner as needed, to advise the Global Model UN Secretary-General and coordinate activities relevant to the portfolio, and to organize meetings for him/her on an urgent basis, if required by Global Model UN delegates; and
- Communicate regularly with DPI Global Model UN Executive Committee, the Global Model UN Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General on all and any conference developments.
Secretaries to the Main Committees
THE COMMITTEE SECRETARY
Coordinates and directs the provision of secretariat services for the Main Committees of the General Assembly, other UN bodies and their subsidiary bodies as well as for special conferences and summits.
For the Global Model United Nations Conference, the Committee Secretaries will:
- Provide continuous guidance and advice to the Chairperson concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, and conduct of business including interpretation of the Global Model UN rules of procedure;
- Prepare the talking points for the Committee Chairperson for each Committee meeting in consultation with the Chairperson;
- Be expected to respond to informal questions on the Committee’s agenda and follow-up with delegates on issues related to the Committee’s agenda;
- Provide procedural guidance to the Chairperson while seated at the podium alongside the Chairperson and Rapporteur;
- Be well versed in the Global Model UN rules of procedure, its Committees and UN resolution processes;
- Be expected to be knowledgeable about the substantive work of his/her Committee, particularly as it relates to the theme of the conference and general Member State positions on the issues; and
- Communicate regularly with the GMUN Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and USG for Economic and Social Affairs on all and any conference developments.
(1) SECRETARY TO THE DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE (FIRST COMMITTEE)
The Secretary to the First Committee is expected to have a good knowledge of the issues of the Disarmament and International Security Committee which deals with disarmament and related international security questions. He/she must also be very knowledgeable of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly.
(2) SECRETARY TO THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEE (SECOND COMMITTEE)
The Secretary to the Second Committee should have a good knowledge of the issues of that Committee and of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly.
In general, the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) sessions deals with issues relating to economic growth and development such as macroeconomic policy questions (including international trade, international financial system and debt), financing for development, sustainable development, human settlements, poverty eradication, globalization and interdependence, operational activities for development, and information and communication technologies for development. The Second Committee also considers issues relating to Groups of Countries in special situations - such as the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
(3) SECRETARY TO THE SOCIAL, HUMANITARIAN AND CULTURAL COMMITTEE (THIRD COMMITTEE)
The Secretary to the Third Committee should have a good knowledge of the issues of that Committee and of the Global Model UN rules of procedure of the General Assembly.
The Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee, commonly referred to as the “Third Committee” oversees the agenda items relating to a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues that affect peoples all over the world. An important part of the Committee’s work focuses on the examination of human rights questions. The Committee also discusses the advancement of women, the protection of children, indigenous issues, the treatment of refugees, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the promotion of the right to self- determination. The Committee also addresses important social development questions such as issues related to youth, family, ageing, persons with disabilities, crime prevention, criminal justice, and drug control.
SECRETARY TO THE SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE (FOURTH COMMITTEE)
The Secretary to the Fourth Committee should have a good knowledge of the issues of that Committee and of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly.
The Special Political and Decolonization Committee deals with a variety of political matters not dealt with by the First Committee. Its agenda includes issues such as decolonization, peacekeeping operations, questions relating to information, Non-Self Governing Territories, and organization of administrative matters including the revitalization of the work of the Organization and programme planning.