DELEGATES DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS: WHO - COMMITTEE REPORT - DAY 2

 By Mekakannika. K

The second day of the SMUN began with the delegates of the WHO committee speaking about improving the quality of the air and providing access to renewable energy in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Emerging and Developing Countries (EDCs). Four countries participated—Japan, Ethiopia, Luxembourg, and China. The delegates of Japan claimed that they are actively involved in addressing air pollution through various initiatives under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). Ethiopia stated that they are actively promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs). Luxembourg affirmed that they are investing heavily in wind, solar, and hydro energy. China said that they have made significant strides in reducing air pollution using policy changes and technological advancements.

The GCL was followed by a quick crisis simulation session in which the chairpersons announced a chemical leak in Turkey and the overflow in hospitals. The delegates immediately got to action and provided various solutions to the tragedy such as raising funds with ally countries, collaborating with the WHO to offer financial assistance, providing intensive medical aid through mobile clinics, etc. 

Delegates addressed the efforts being made by their representative countries to tackle communicable diseases in conflict zones. France talked about the financial and technical support they are offering based on humanitarian principles. Japan referred to the serious steps that were taken in order to control the outbreak of streptococcal disease which happened in June 2024. Brazil stated that they are providing essential medical supplies and vaccines, and that through their involvement in the UN, they have sent doctors and health professionals to the affected areas to assist with disease control. The delegate of Sweden discussed their utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in disease surveillance and public health monitoring. India spoke about their attempts to strengthen their health care systems. The UK discussed their ongoing efforts for sanitizing their conflict zones. Italy, being one of the very first countries to experience the COVID-19 outbreak, spoke about the efforts they made to eradicate it. Ethiopia referred to the multiple HIV and AIDS epidemics they have faced, especially during wartime, and all the measures that they’ve taken to tackle such issues. 

Day two of SMUN concluded with heated debates between Italy and Brazil on comprehensive sex education, and the United Kingdom and France on surrogacy. Brazil won the debate against Italy in which the delegate of Brazil stressed the importance of families educating their children about sex rather than schools providing formal education on it. France won the debate against the United Kingdom in which the delegate of France firmly rejected surrogacy due to the exploitation of lower-class women and the commercialization that surrounds surrogacy. Day two’s session was both engaging and enlightening, sparking insightful discussions and dynamic debates.