RCMUN’25
RCMUN
RCMUN’25 ‘25
STUDY GUIDE
RCMUN’25
RCMUN’25
RCMUN’25 UNITED NATIONS
SECURITY COUNCIL
RCMUN’25
T H E E N G L I S H L I T E R A R Y A S S O C I AT I O N
O F R O YA L C O L L E G E
United Nations Security Council
(UNSC)
Committee Mandate
TAs mandated by Article 24 of the United Nations Charter, the United Nations
Security Council revolves around maintaining international security and peace.
Alongside the five permanent member nations, the security council
additionally rotates ten seats, allowing a broader range of geographically
distinct issues and perspectives to be hosted. Pushing forth its responsibility
as one of the United Nations six organs it's resolutions passed and discussions
revolve heavily around preventive and restorative measures to peace, the
investigation of disputes and breaches of international law and compliance.
Delegates of the UNSC at SLMUN 2025 are expected to be amongst the best in
the circuit, thereby upholding them to the highest quality of debate. Delegates
are expected to understand and digest nuances of international law and
foreign policy, craft feasible yet strategic solutions and adopt a nation's policy
like their own–navigating problems today's leaders refuse to face.
CONFERENCE TOPIC:
The Rise of Regional Security Pacts and it’s
Strategic Consequences Globally
Topic Breakdown
In today's ever changing day and age, where threats and rising tensions cause
alarm in the International community, the rise of Regional security pacts globally
is expected as nations band together to regain stability and power amidst
shifting dynamics. Regional Security Pacts, broaden nations' shared security
frameworks and concerns, often banding together as a result of a common
threat amidst rising tensions and said Multilateral agreements often include
mutual defense. Some of the most popular regional security pacts include NATO,
ASEAN and the RSS.
Taking into consideration the rise of western powers, several nations have
introduced the potential for additional military alliances such as Prime Minister
Ishiba Shigeru's hope for an ‘Asian NATO’ alongside NATOs influence in Africa
alongside the AU–raising alarms within the international community.
Delegates are expected to be well versed with the intricacies of international law
and the many power dynamics at play, alongside the instability within certain
regions and conflicts Globally, whilst persevering their nations own interests and
policies.
CASE STUDY #2: THE AUKUS PACT
The AUKUS, announced formally on the 15th of September 2021, is a trilateral
security pact between the United States of America, The United Kingdom and
Australia that specialises in technology sharing in the Indo-Pacific region.
Despite having technological aims, the security pact is Globally Understood to be
a countermeasure to Chinese ambition and growing influence within the region
itself.
As of recently, the AUKUS alliance has been specifically focused on the
development of nuclear powered submarines for use in the Royal Australian Navy,
as well as coordination,
application and research towards quantum computing, artificial
intelligence and missile technology in the name of security. This Strategic
development in the region would serve to add on to the existing Five Eyes
alliance and significantly strengthen the fleet of the allies, alongside
introducing Australia as the 7th nation to be armed with nuclear powered
submarines in its forces. Despite being oversought by the International
Atomic Energy Agency, The AUKUS's initiatives and ambitions have been
scrutinised by The international community under the pretense of
violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968, unstabilizing the
region and the nations surrounding it due to the now obvious power
struggle and dynamics at play.
The Indo-Pacific region itself, remains at great interest of the
International community, including emerging nuclear armed super
powers such as India, and its instability caused by the introduction of
external security pacts raises several alarms for potential conflicts and
clashes, alongside the manipulation of international law, in the future.
CASE STUDY #1: THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY
ORGANISATION
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), established in 1949, is a
military and political alliance that aims to ensure the freedom and
security of its members through collective defence, and over decades, it
has established itself to be highly adaptive to changing geopolitics by
actions such as expanding its member-base and mandate accordingly.
Of the three main types of regional security pacts, NATO is a prime
example of a Formal Military Alliance, as upon its establishment it had the
primary goal of pursuing collective self defence for its members. However,
over the years it has broadened its operational scope to encompass crisis
management and cooperative security - emphasised by their missions in
the Balkans, Afghanistan and Libya. However, following the 1999 Kosovo
campaign, several pressing
concerns were raised
regarding the legality
surrounding the legitimacy
of such actions in
international law. Even
though NATO managed to
justify their intervention on
humanitarian grounds one
may still argue that this
still contravened the UN
Charter and its emphasis on the Security Council's primary roles in
maintaining international peace and security.
NATO’s expansion and their increased activities have the added impact
of heightening tensions with Russia, particularly with the alliance's
presence near russian borders (specifically in regards to Sweden and
Finland) has resulted in military escalation and an overall aggressive
response from Moscow.
In conclusion, the organisation's evolution has reflected its ability to
adapt to changing security dynamics, yet although it remains a pillar of
collective defense, their actions continue to garner discussions on legal
legitimacy, burden sharing and its role in the broader international order.
FURTHER POINTS:
Legal Authority of Regional Pacts vs. UN Charter Obligations.
To what extent can regional security arrangements engage in
enforcement actions without the UNSC’s explicit authorization? Or even
possible trade-offs or contradictions between existing UN Charter
articles.
Impact on the very Principle of Collective Security
Basically, analysing whether these alliances strengthen or undermine the
UNSC’s role in maintaining international peace.
Regional Pacts and the Risk of Escalation
Analysing situations where regional alliances may escalate
tensions/conflict rather than contain them and how the UNSC might
mitigate these risks.
Proliferation of Military Technologies through Regional Alliances
Essentially, assessing the risks associated with the transfer of advanced
military technologies within regional pacts.
The possible formation of further military pacts such as the ‘Asian
NATO’ .
Letter from Chairs
Delegates,
It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that we welcome you to
the United Nations Security Council. As your chairs, we are honored
to facilitate discussions on the pressing topic: "The Rise of Regional
Security Pacts and Their Strategic Consequences Globally."
In an era where regional alliances increasingly influence global
security dynamics, this topic stimulates a thorough examination of
the interactions between such pacts and the overarching framework
of international law. As such, we would like you to delve into this
topic with an inquisitive, skeptical and investigative orientation -
and encourage you to explore legal intricacies, question existing
norms, and assess the implications of these alliances on the
sovereignty of nations and the overall efficacy of the United Nations
Charter.
Your role as delegates is not merely to represent your assigned
countries, but to engage critically with the material and challenge
assumptions in order to contribute to the overall nuanced discourse.
Towards this extent, we hope that the material provided in this study
guide serves you well, and would urge you to pay attention to the
case studies and the further points sections especially, as they may
prove to be a vital asset in your research and help develop the
correct approach to debate on conference day.
Best of Luck,
Yuthika Gamage & Minara Liyanage
Co-chairs, United Nations Security Council
RCMUN 2025
