By Megan Chan
Amidst the resolution debate, the delegates patiently waited to have for and against speeches to be over. The chairs, looking around for any submitted amendments, entertain an amendment submitted by China.
The topic in today’s conference is addressing transboundary water conflicts in Asia. A few of the main rivers posing significance include the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, where Turkey aims to build 22 dams along the transboundary river, and the Indus River, with the World Bak being the mediator. The demands for economic development, and the issues the previous agreements bring act as the clashes that the delegates will face during council sessions throughout the day.
Delegates raised their placards high into the air as a measure for voting for this resolution, awaiting the next resolution from the delegation of Pakistan. This resolution includes clauses such as limiting the construction of dams. As the chairs patiently went through the resolution, they gave points and feedback to the delegates on the substance of the resolution. The chairs played a big role in terms of helping the delegates throughout the conference, mainly consisting of beginners as part of the Economic and Social Council.
“Countries in the lower stream” are facing troubles, as they are being “limited by countries upstream”, as said by the delegation of Pakistan. The delegates raise their placards for asking POIs, and the delegation of Pakistan begins to answer the questions diligently, referring to the resolution that they had acted as a main submitter for.
The resolution discusses having established annual meetings between member states with different specific topics such as regulation of water use in the upper stream region, decisions for rules to be made and for the exchange of water resources and quality information. Moreover, the submitters wsh to advocate for a water treaty to be made between countries currently having water resources conflicts.
In spite of this, the delegation of Pakistan constantly raises the relation of the World Trade Organisation and how it is similar to the resolution made. Moreover, the delegate of Afghanistan has pointed out how the resolution should be more detailed than it is now. To counteract this, the main submitter has suggested the inclusion of more details in an amendment to be submitted later. Mentioning “We are trying our best to make sure every country is counted.”, the delegates of Pakistan return to their seats.
For and against speeches were getting exchanged, and the delegates sat patiently. The diplomacy shined through all the delegates, because they acted quietly yet effectively. The silence shared by all the delegates showed respect for each other, as delegates began to read the third resolution being debated upon amongst the time constraints.
Comments