The Security Council Debate concerned the increase in cases of Nile Fever, as the West Nile variant is leading to an increase in cases throughout Africa, Europe, Middle East, North America and Western Asia.
It was established that the delegates were notably peaceful and willing to cooperate on this issue compared to other issues discussed today, proposing and approving several insightful amendments to ensure a swift and effective international response to the health crisis.
Amendment One: Russia leads the debate and puts forward the first amendment, encouraging all nations to consider humanitarian crises as a result of the West Nile virus and to provide assistance to mitigate its effects.
Amendment Two: Switzerland continues the humanitarian theme by putting forward Amendment Two, which includes the establishment of an International Task Force on West Nile Virus (ITFWNV). Its main goal is to monitor, control and prevent the virus from spreading.
The delegate of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) rejects Amendment Two, claiming they will not pay the required funds for the ITFWNV alongside other UN member states that are involved in the amendment.
Amendment Three: Algeria leads Amendment Three. This encourages global health treaties and joint agreements to implement frameworks and surveillance systems to tackle the health crisis. These systems include treaties relating to medicine trading and joint agreement funding to build hospitals and distribute medical health resources.
Voting on Amendment Three commences, resulting in seven in favour of the amendment, none against the amendment, and three deposed. However, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the DPRK believed that those countries affected by the virus should pay for the amendment themselves and unaffected countries should have no obligation to provide funds or support.
Amendment Four: the delegate of France proposes Amendment Four. This amendment aims to strengthen a health approach to prevent and prepare for future global health emergencies. It urges the global community to address health consequences caused by West Nile Virus and to consider necessary action against similar future crises. Multiple delegates liken the amendment, suggested by France, as strikingly similar to the World Health Organisation and the amendment is received favourably.
The vote concludes with nine out of ten delegates in favour of the amendment; however, the delegation of Mozambique calls for a motion to split the house, forcing the PRC to change its previous decision from abstinence to a (notably begrudging) vote in favour. Interestingly, an anonymous delegate threatens the DPRK delegate with military action as a warning for erratic/ aggressive strategy.
Amendment Five: the delegate of Guyana puts forward an amendment to invest more money into controlling mosquitoes, vectors for the virus. Both Algerian and Mozambican delegates question the wording and implications of the amendment. France argues in favour of the amendment and speaks about the possibility of burning oils as a method to prevent mosquitoes. Ecuador questions this motion as mosquitoes pollinate many species of plants and eradicating the species may threaten the environment.
The vote moves with a majority in favour of Guyana’s amendment. The final vote concludes that nine out of ten delegates vote in favour of the amendment, and one abstains.
Author: Ethan Polley
© MUNoC 2024 Department of Press
