#sumun

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Human Genome Editing Scandals by Nurin Afiqah binti Abu Bakar from Times of India

WHO: A heated debate broke out between the delegates of Western Countries and Muslim-majority countries, as genome editing goes against their Muslim beliefs. Genome editing, also known as gene editing, refers to a group of technologies that give scientists the capabilities to alter an organism’s DNA. However, according to the Islamic law, these actions

are considered wrong.

“—In most developed countries, clinical genetics service was established by the end of the twentieth century. However underdeveloped countries such as Pakistan face multiple infectious diseases, malnutrition and so on and so forth. We are agreeing to use genome editing in the healthcare sector in order to save our country’s citizens. We are not against the islamic policies.” said the delegates of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, agreeing on the usage of genome editing

solely for the healthcare sector.

“—Human genome editing is a method that involves modification of the DNA cells. It is edited by adding, removing or altering the DNA in the human genome.The purpose of human genome editing by modifying is that we are able to increase our understanding of gene functions and develop ways to treat diseases. Besides, the pros’ of human genome editing, it can lead to certain type of cancer, allergy reaction or damage of the tissues of an organ, if an injection is involved. Thus, it should be handled as ethically as possible.” state the delegate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, speaking up on the pros’ and cons’ of human genome editing as a whole. “—Human genome editing should not be trusted by the public, for the catastrophe it could cause is unpredictable. How can the public assure that human genome editing would not be misused in the future for selfish desires? Another concern surrounding this issue is the increase of the existing gap between the rich and poor. Genome editing is expensive and is only accessible to the richer citizens.” Added the delegate of the People’s Republic of China. Questioning the equality of the accessibility of genome editing if it made its debut in the medical sector. The session carried on with a ten minutes unmoderated caucus, where delegates from western and muslims countries separated to create their own draft resolution regarding the issue at hand. Each delegate works in a collaborative manner to support their own stands with the issue at hand.

“—We deemed that genome editing are forbidden in our country as it is according to the Quran, it’s a sin to change God’s creation. Although an individual might be using this technology as a medical treatment, we still strictly forbid it as our country takes religion seriously.” stated the delegate of the Islamic Republic of Iran, that is strongly opposed to the usage of human genome

editing commercially.

The debate went back and forth between the countries who are in favour of human genome editing and oppose it. The debate was both on the rights, one to stand for the betterment of the

health of the general society while the other to stand firm in their beliefs.

Is the human genome practice truly beneficial in our road to advancing medical technologies or is it a wolf in sheep’s clothing waiting to shake the world with impending doom?

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Multiple Countries think that Genocide is the only way to combat racial discrimination by Euro News

UNHRC: The US delegate says that racial discrimination is one of the biggest issues in the country. “To combat racial discrimination, we must have only one pure race in the country,” the US claims. The US argues that genocide is the right way to fight racial discrimination, despite its many drawbacks.

The Palestinian delegate accuses the US of making other countries suffer worse by treating them like commodities.

Iraq believes that the agenda is close to a conclusion and has found a solution to the issue. Iraq proposes that every country in the council must work together. Kenya supports Iraq’s idea, saying that it shares the same ideology of treating all detainees equally regardless of their race. Kenya also compares Russia and the US to Nazi Germany, saying that they are committing war crimes.

“I don’t want to kill 7 billion people, but only 6.4 billion people,” the Russian delegate declares. Russia thinks that there should be only one pure race if they want to end racism.

The UK criticizes Russia and any other countries that support genocide, calling them insane and uneducated. “If the UK ruled over Russia, then Russia would have been more educated,” the UK asserts. The UK denies that it stole any resources from other countries, saying that they were given as tokens of appreciation. Therefore, the UK says, the countries that were involved in this act have no right to call out the UK.

The Mexican delegate backs Draft Resolution 1.1 because of its short-term and long-term benefits for Mexico. Meanwhile, the US has proposed a different Draft Resolution, which Mexico opposes because not every country is as wealthy as the US to overcome racial discrimination. On the other hand, Brazil agrees with the US and mocks Palestine and Thailand for having weak economies and making no progress on this issue.

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Progressive Discussions on the Mistreatment of Military Women by CNN

UNW: The final day focused on the urgent issue of “Addressing the Mistreatment within Women Enlisted in the Military.” The discussion sparked a heated debate about the discrimination, sexual assault and mistreatment that women face in military settings.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam set the tone by acknowledging the prevalence of “gender-based violence due to deeply rooted ideologies,” raising concerns about women’s rights, especially among women serving in the military.

Many countries seemed to share similar stances and stood firm to protect the rights of women in the military. Germany, for instance, said, “30% of the German military force is women, but the representation is not enough.” The country elaborated on how women’s lack of power leads to mistreatment and discrimination, urging for more recruitment of women in the military force. The delegate also called for “more transparency in the military reporting” to “allow for more scrutiny.”

The delegate of France seconded these efforts by agreeing on increasing the presence of women within military personnel. The country said, “We urge for a better reporting mechanism that is time efficient and effective as it is important for women’s lives and women’s future.”

The council continued with a lobbying session, where a bloc of most nations shared a common goal to “advocate stricter policy reforms for military women.”

CNN looks forward to the solutions proposed for this issue.

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The First Environmental Resolution by Al-Jazeera

UNEP: The UNEP council has passed a draft resolution on the protection of coral reefs and sustainable development in less developed countries, after a lively debate and some controversies. The draft resolution, submitted by Russia and the UAE, proposes solutions to the environmental and social challenges faced by the two agendas. Some countries opposed the voting procedure, but the majority of the council supported the draft resolution.

The passage of the draft resolution prompted China to admit some of the mistakes it had made in the council, but also to express its pride and satisfaction with the outcome of the collective effort. China said it was committed to working with other countries to implement the draft resolution.

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UNW Press Conference Wrap by Times of India

UNW Press Conference Wrap

by Times of India

The delegates of the Nations of Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UNW, gathered to attend a press conference. The delegates of the Kingdom of Thailand were questioned about their country’s stand on preventing the increasing number of childbirth deaths in rural areas.

Delegate of the Kingdom of Thailand to TOI: “As we have stated in our draft resolution, if making it to the hospital is less feasible, then the midwife will provide a safe and clean home delivery, by having complete tools and delivery kits that will ensure that the childbirth process is done in a safe and clean environment.”

The conference continued with a question to the delegates of the Republic of Germany about whether the cultural and traditional beliefs of the people in rural areas would affect the health and safety of pregnant mothers and their children.

Delegates of the Republic of Germany to TOI: “The draft resolution that we have amended is balanced on all sides. It will not completely disregard the cultural and traditional beliefs of the people in rural areas, but it will only discourage the ones that are jeopardizing the health and safety of a pregnant mother and her child.”

The press conference came to an end with a closing speech from the delegates of the Kingdom of Thailand: “I thank all the delegates who have collaborated and made this draft resolution to its finest and successfully passed the assessment. The delegate of Thailand would look forward to the members of nations implementing this policy in their countries.”

With the closing speech, the press conference concluded. The health of women in rural areas is something that needs to be taken seriously if we want to bring about changes to the world, making it a better and safer place for women to live.

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Improving Maternal Healthcare by CNN

UNW: The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNW) has presented a draft resolution that champions gender equality and improves maternal healthcare in third-world countries. The resolution, spearheaded by the Kingdom of Thailand and supported by co-submitters and signatories, aims to address the challenges faced by mothers and expectant mothers in these regions.

The delegate of Germany stressed their priority to protect the lives of women during the press conference, saying, “The lives of mothers should be preserved.”

The resolution acknowledges the high maternal death rates in third-world countries and recognizes the profound socio-economic challenges they face. It emphasizes the need to accelerate plans and projects to assist local pregnant mothers, focusing on education, access to quality healthcare facilities, and innovative partnerships.

Education is a cornerstone of change. The resolution introduces programs in schools to nurture younger generations and promote early sex education, empowering individuals with knowledge that can shape healthier reproductive choices. It also fosters awareness about maternal health among husbands and wives through diverse communication methods, including on-site investigations, posters, social media, and seminars, tailored to local contexts.

Partnerships are a driving force behind the resolution. The collaborative effort between public and private organizations, including NGOs, will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation of the resolution’s provisions. This collective approach, enriched by the diverse strengths of each participating country, exemplifies the power of international collaboration in effecting meaningful change.

However, as the resolution advances, some questions arise. While the resolution proposes comprehensive solutions, concerns over implementation in resource-constrained regions and overcoming deeply ingrained cultural practices warrant consideration. Critics may also question the potential impact of private partnerships and whether they could inadvertently compromise the goals of equitable and accessible healthcare for all.

Nonetheless, the UNW’s commitment to facilitating dialogue, raising awareness, and fostering collaborative action on maternal healthcare improvement is commendable. The resolution serves as a testament to the global community’s dedication to ensuring the wellbeing of women and mothers in third-world countries, moving us a step closer to a future where gender equality and improved maternal health are not just aspirations, but realities.

The delegate of Thailand expressed gratitude to co-submitters for their unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit, saying, “We want to express thanks to co-submitters for their commitment and collaboration on the draft resolution. We look forward to seeing countries implement these solutions.”

As the UNW deliberates on this draft resolution, the world watches with anticipation, recognizing that meaningful progress demands a united effort to break down barriers and ensure that every mother’s journey to motherhood is safe, dignified, and supported.

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UNHRC Press Conference Wrap by Al-Jazeera

UNHRC: A group of UNHRC members proposed to make UN agencies and global funds more efficient in improving the arrest and detention conditions of minorities.

They drafted a resolution that called for action on UN agencies that are not performing well and redirecting funds to countries that need them.

China and France, despite their own past problems, joined forces against India, which admitted to Islamophobia. Another group, led by the US, rejected the main group’s resolution, saying that it only offered equality, not justice. They proposed their own resolution and formed a separate bloc.

The main group’s resolution also aimed to enhance the quality of services for minorities, such as food, water and security. It also recommended a review of the UN agencies and third parties that are supposed to help minorities. It also stressed the importance of education for minorities who are misinformed.

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Malaysia's Innovative Contribution to Biospehere Reserve Conservation by Mohamad Adam Haqimi bin Mohd Zuraimi from Yonhap News

UNESCO: In a new strategy, Malaysia has unveiled a comprehensive plan for Biosphere Reserve conservation. This initiative, covering various aspects, aims to safeguard the delicate balance between human development and ecological preservation.

Malaysia’s plan is divided into six key components, each addressing a crucial aspect of Biosphere Reserve management:

Comprehensive Services and Assessments: Malaysia is improving its services and assessments to better understand the dynamics of these vital ecosystems. Educational Initiatives: Aiming for awareness, Malaysia plans to educate its citizens, especially students, about Biosphere Reserves. This includes immersive learning experiences like field trips and awareness campaigns. Stricter Regulations and Monitoring: Strict regulations and monitoring mechanisms will ensure that human activities within Biosphere Reserves are aligned with conservation goals. Sustainable Practices and Restoration: Malaysia is committed to implementing sustainable practices and restoration efforts, acknowledging the need to rejuvenate and protect these invaluable natural habitats. International Collaboration and Cross-border Reserves: Recognizing that conservation knows no borders, Malaysia is actively engaging in international collaborations and advocating for cross-border Biosphere Reserves. Efforts to Eradicate Climate Change: Malaysia’s plan extends to combating climate change, recognizing its pivotal role in Biosphere Reserve preservation. In light of these initiatives, the government is poised to collect essential data and expedite access to potential conservation areas. Collaborating closely with local communities and people who are affected by or involved in these natural habitats, Malaysia seeks to cultivate a stronger relationship between them and the Biosphere Reserves.

Through its educational initiatives, Malaysia aims to ensure that students not only gain insights into Biosphere Reserves but also actively participate in their protection. These efforts will empower students and parents alike to play a crucial role in the conservation of these ecological treasures.

This innovative approach from Malaysia highlights the nation’s dedication to preserving its natural heritage. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, Malaysia’s comprehensive plan sets a good example for other nations to follow, emphasizing that the delicate balance between development and conservation is achievable through strategic and collaborative efforts.