United Nations Environment Programme

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was formed in 1972 with the mandate of serving as a global environmental authority. As an agency of the United Nations, it promotes discussion and coordinated action with regard to issues such as air pollution, ecosystem damage, and negative externalities associated with chemical toxicity. Its greatest successes include the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the 2012 Minamata Convention, the Iraqi Marshlands Restoration Project, and establishing universal membership. It collaborates closely with state governments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to act upon its interests and increase support for environmentally-minded policies. The organization has become increasingly relevant since the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda, which set seventeen global goals on the topic of sustainable development.

Committee Topics and Background Guide

Topic A: Addressing Plastic Pollution

Topic B: Combatting Environmental Racism

Letter from the Chair

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to JHUMUNC 2019! My name is Siena DeMatteo and I will be the chair of this session’s novice committee: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). I will also serve as your Director of General Assemblies. I am thrilled to be chairing a committee with such a relevant focus and look forward to further familiarizing you all with parliamentary procedure and hearing you debate on the topics of plastic pollution and environmental racism.

A little bit about me: I’m a sophomore here at Hopkins and pursuing a double major in International Studies and Italian. I was born and raised in New York City, and was Chair of IOM at last year’s conference. Besides JHUMUNC, I am involved with Kappa Alpha Theta, Best Buddies, the Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium, and the First-Year Mentor program. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring Baltimore’s unique neighborhoods!

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions before the conference. I look forward to meeting you all in February!

All the best,

Siena DeMatteo
Chair, United Nations Environment Programme
Director of General Assemblies
JHUMUNC Session XXII
dir-ga@jhumunc.org