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Committee Profile
Topic A: Increasing Equitability of Semiconductor Technology Production
From large-scale data centers to smartphones to simple LED lights, semiconductors are found everywhere in the modern technology we use in our everyday lives. However, access to the trade and production of these vital semiconductors is dominated by only a handful of Asian territories such as South Korea, mainland China, Taiwan, and Japan. Furthermore, the politicization of technology has often led to trade barriers such as export controls and the rising geopolitical tensions in semiconductor production centers have often led to barriers to entry in developing countries and threats to the global supply chain. As technology becomes ever more important to a country’s development and ability to engage with the global economy, this committee will find solutions to empower developing countries to invest in innovation and have ready access to the resources required to develop their economies through technologies like semiconductors. Within the topic of semiconductors, this topic will discuss the political implications of shifting the global supply chain to other countries, the investments to be made in technology production as an economic sector, and how the rare earth mineral resources and metals required for semiconductor production can be made more accessible to developing nations.
Topic B: Guiding Development and Mitigating Exploitation of Nuclear Energy Resources for Developing Nations
Whether we know it or not, we use a lot of energy. We use energy to keep the lights on, to keep machines running, to cook food, to access the internet, and even to ask ChatGPT an inquiry. However, as cities grow and as technology advances, a recurring problem that is encountered is the sustainability and scalability of energy sources to meet the growing demand. One of the most efficient sources of energy that can meet this demand is nuclear energy which can be synthesized from radioactive minerals such as uranium and plutonium. While civilian use of nuclear power can be positive, the military use for nuclear weapons has only proliferated across the globe since WWII and has been used to promote political interests despite the restrictions on access to minerals like uranium. While nuclear energy doesn’t necessarily lead to nuclear weapons, the further enrichment of radioactive minerals does, as there is a possibility of civilian uses of nuclear energy to be converted into military uses. By evaluating the viability of various energy sources, this committee will tackle issues such as energy independence in having equitable access to minerals and energy resources, the sustainability of energy sources, and the political risks that may come with access to powerful forms of energy such as nuclear energy.
Chair Letter
Hello Delegates,
My name is Enis Fang, and I will be the chair of the United Nations Conferences on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). I am from San Francisco and a second-year, undeclared social sciences major at UCLA as I finish narrowing down my interests in psychology, political science, and economics. As for some activities I do in my free time, I have recently been keeping up with the political and financial news, participating in the stock market, and enjoying watching elections. On occasion, I also like to play video games and watch animated shows.
My journey in MUN began around 4 years ago in my second year of high school where I was able to attend several conferences and chair a couple of committees at my high school’s conferences. Since coming to UCLA, I have had the honor of being a dias staff at last year’s BruinMUN and a crisis staff at LAMUN. During my time in MUN, I have been able to broaden my knowledge about the state of global affairs and the challenges we face today, and I hope this committee among others will do the same for you.
With the political and technological developments of the past few decades, the UNCTAD mission of supporting development and ensuring countries can benefit from globalized trade is becoming ever more important to ensuring a more equitable world for both developed and developing countries.
As I am sure that you have heard of the revolutionary developments in technology in the past few years, this committee will be focused on trying to address the multifaceted issues and navigating the many political interests that come with technology and energy. Ultimately, I am looking forward to seeing how you all approach these topics with your nation’s interest in mind and collaborate to ensure that the world develops sustainably and equitably.
Sincerely,
Enis Fang | Chair, UNCTAD | BruinMUN 33
unctad@bruinmun.org