LAIMUN XXII December 3-4, 2016

Topics: Infrastructural Service Delivery in Somalia; Providing Sustainable Energy in Underdeveloped Countries

Chaired by: Maddy Otto and Micaela Tomaro

UNDP

ECOSOC

CONTENTS

Letter from the Secretariat

Introduction to the Dais

Topic A: Infrastructural Service Delivery in Somalia

1

2

5

Topic B: Providing Sustainable Energy in Underdeveloped Countries 13

3Committee Description

Letter from the Secretariat1

,

Incoming Delegates:

Welcome to LAIMUN XXII! We are thrilled to put on our twenty-second conference--now with both Advanced and Novice committees.

Our chairs intend to hold all delegates, novice and advanced, to high standards of research, substance, speech, and diplomacy.

With regard to resolutions and amendments, we have a strict no pre-written policy. All of your work must be original, created following the start of the first committee session.

We hope that you will get as much out of this experience as possible. While we do wish to run a professional conference, that should not hold you back from enjoying spirited debate in each committee.

If you have any questions, procedural or otherwise, you may direct them to ecosoc@mchsmun.org. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any inquiries or concerns. We wish you all the best of luck and look forward to seeing you in December!

All the best,

Eliza Davis and Matthew Dumont Beau StasoSecretaries-General Under-Secretary General

Introduction to the Dias2

Hi delegates!Welcome to Laimun XXII! My name is Maddy Otto, and I cannot wait to chair this

debate! I am a senior at Mira Costa, and have been doing Model UN for four years now. Although the program calls for late nights of research and dedication, it’s provided me with immense knowledge and attributes about myself I never would have learned otherwise. There’s nothing more rewarding than contributing hard work to accomplish a tedious task. I have had some amazing experiences at not only local conferences, but also at beautiful campuses such as Berkeley and Brown. As for my personal hobbies, I have enjoyed being on Varsity swimming throughout my high school career, and although I am not competitive, it’s been a great opportunity to grow closer with my swim family. It’s also provided me with the chance to work as a lifeguard at our local pool and teach swim lessons to younger children. At home, I’m extremely passionate about writing, and I love to perform spoken word poetry at local coffee shops, open mic nights, and mostly at my church. I cannot wait to meet you guys, and I am excited to chair my second year of LAIMUN!

Best Wishes,Maddy Otto

Hello delegates! My name is Micaela Tomaro and I will be your co-chair for LAIMUN UNDP. This is

my third year in Model UN and I have grown to love the program and opportunities it has provided me. Last year, I attended Chicago and Berkeley MUN and had an amazing experience learning from my teammates and other delegates from around the country. I have a strong passion for the program and want to share my experience in MUN with delegates. Currently, I am a junior in MUN and a part of the Press Corps. Through MUN, I have become more philanthropic and engaged in community service-based activities. One organization that I am heavily involved with at Costa is I-Act, which works with the refugees in Eastern Chad after the Sudanese Genocide. I was enthralled by their efforts and wanted to continue their practice within my own community, so I started a club here at Costa called Mustangs4Change! Beyond MUN and I-ACT, I play high school lacrosse and soccer and club soccer! I love physical activity and health and wish to study in the medical field in the future!

Overall, I want each delegate to enjoy their experience in debate and continue with MUN because it is an amazing program. MUN has worked to benefit my overall daily life by strengthening my public speaking, critical thinking, writing and social skills. I hope that each delegate gains something new from their experience and enjoys the competitive, yet exciting debate ahead of us!

Your Chair,Micaela Tomaro

Please email your papers and any questions you may have to undp.novice.laimunxxii@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you in debate. Good luck!

Committee Description3

The United Nations Development Programme aims to strengthen development

goals in poverty stricken nations. UNDP specifically wants to prevent human inequalities,

the effects of disasters, and the impacts on impoverished nations. The United Nations

Development Program works with over 170 countries to increase environmental

sustainability, good governance and security.

The UNDP was created on January 1, 1965 by the General Assembly in an effort

to reduce global poverty. The UNDP governs over the UNDG, or United Nations

Development Group, and works with developing nation’s governments, private sector and

organizations. The UNDP is currently working on the 2030 agenda for sustainable

development which is solely focusing on poverty, inequality, and climate change. These

new goals replace the 2000 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which lasted for 15

years. Recently the UNDP has raised over $18.7 million dollars for 30 projects within

Somalia. Around 46% of the money will focus on responsive intuitions, 24% to

democratic governance and 13% towards inclusive and sustainable growth. The UNDP is

also partnering with the SE4ALL, a Sustainable Partner Initiative. This initiative will

provide electricity solutions, grid infrastructure, large scale renewable power,

transportation, buildings and appliances.

In 2011, the Syrian crisis left over 9.3 billion people in need of assistance. The

UNDP is working to provide socio-economic services and infrastructure. It utilized

SHARP, or the Syrian Humanitarian Response Plan, and housed over 6.5 million people.

The UNDP also focuses its attention on three areas, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and

4Area C composed of Israeli settlements surrounding East Jerusalem. On December 1978,

the General Assembly adopted Resolution 33/147 in order to provide infrastructural

assistance to the three main areas.

Topic A: Infrastructural Service Delivery in Somalia

5

I. Background

Out of 196 countries in the world, Somalia is seen as the most unstable nation in

the international community. Some even consider Somalia to be nothing less than a

lawless country with no hope for a better future. As the UN, it is our duty to better the

lives of civilians living within the nation and fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development Goals in the UNDP. After the Civil War broke out in 1991, Somalia has not

been able to sustain itself within the international community. The government collapsed

and the Transitional Federal Government only managed to control a fraction of the

country. With no central government, Somalia is considered one of the most dangerous

and poorest countries in the world. The lack of central government has allowed terrorist

groups like Al Shabaab and Al Qaeda to overpower territory such as Kismayo and parts of

Southern Somalia and Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab, a radical terrorist group in Somalia, has

continued to control Mogadishu since 2006. In 2012, Al Shabaab pledged loyalty to Al

Qaeda, a Sunni Islamist terrorist group founded by Osama Bin Laden, which furthered

their operations within the nation. In the same year, president Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud

was elected into the transnational government but was caught for abusing his power and

Somali lawmakers filed a lawsuit for a motion of parliament and dismissed him from

office. His rise to power led to corruption, clashing policies, and the division of the nation.

Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud is now the current president of Somalia, and the government has

never been this corrupt since the civil war in the 1990’s. Because of the corruption, the

country has no financial status, and therefore, the country cannot provide basic

6infrastructure. Infrastructural service delivery stems from the lack of governance within the

nation, as it does not have the capacity to provide basic services to its citizens.

Infrastructure service delivery can provide security, health, as well as profit to the nation

and its people.

The most affected area of Somalia is the ports, specifically the Port of Kismayo, a

prominent financial hub for Al-Shabaab. Other non-terrorist groups such as pirates

smuggle illicit drugs, humans, and animals through the ports including ivory, sesame seeds,

cocaine, cannabis, and heroin. Somalia does not have the economic support to strengthen

their port security, which reduces their overall profit and therefore leads to less

humanitarian aid. Additionally, Somalia contains no railroads or major waterways except

for its shoreline. The shoreline is being controlled by terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab and

this leads to a lack of service delivery to its indigenous people, citizens and refugees.

Service delivery is heavily insufficient in the regions of Banadir, Lower Buda, Puntland,

Mudug, Baidoa, and Kismayo. This lack of functional infrastructural services and recurring

droughts leads to low crop yields and famine. Recently Somalia has focused on short-term

infrastructure development in order to provide roads, power generating systems, renewable

energy development, urban infrastructure, water supply, waste management, housing for

IDPs, roads and bridges. The infrastructure has been very effective because it increases

public transport systems, handles major traffic and opens the Somali market.

Somalia houses numerous natural resources including uranium, oil, gas, iron-ore,

copper, tin, gypsum, diamonds and bauxite. Somalia has recently become a terrorist target

for diamonds and uranium, which are extremely expensive and in high demand in the

international community. These products are once again sold on the black market or

transported through unsecured ports. Major concernS in the infrastructural sector of

Somalia are landmines as well as diamond and uranium mines.

II. UN Involvement

7Before African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) operations, the UN Security

Council resolution 733 placed an arms embargo on Somalia in 1992. This embargo

established the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM I) and a task force called

UNITAF, or the United Nations-Sanctioned Unified Task Force. Both of these UNOSOM

missions provided humanitarian aid to the Somali people. Additionally, the Secretary

General ordered Resolution 751 to deploy immediate action to the ceasefire in Mogadishu

in 2013. There was no open fire, but rival militias and Kenyan forces began fighting at the

port city of Kismayo. There were weeks of negotiated ceasefire and multiple casualties.

The United Nations has monitored Somalia and its anti-corruption measures and the

UN Security Council has worked within the nation to halt Al-Shabaab movements. The

African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was tasked with introducing regional

peacekeeping missions within the nation and was authorized by the United Nations

Security Council of 2007. The United Nations passed resolution 1772, which mandated the

AMISOM mission for six months and provided protection to the Transitional Federal

Institutions. However, AMISOM I failed to provide adequate governance within the nation

as well as eliminate Al-Shabaab.

The UNDP is currently working in Somalia with multiple NGO’s to provide

quality governance, humanitarian aid and safety to its people. It cooperates with the United

National Somali Assistance Strategy (UNSAS), which creates five year plans for UN

agencies in the region. Multiple UN agencies exist within Somalia such as UNHCR,

UNICEF, UNODC, and WHO in order to support the nation and its people through the

current economic state. In 2011, over four million Somali civilians experienced extreme

famine in the South Region. The World Food Program (WFP) has been providing food

security to these civilians as well as the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) that reside

within the region.

Furthermore, the UN introduced the United Nations Somali Integrated Strategic

8Framework from 2014-2016. The ISF is providing guidelines for political development,

human rights, and security activities. Currently the ISF is representing the UN Somalia

Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), and replaced the UN Somalia Assistance Strategy

Framework (UNSAS). ISF wants to organize a stable and peaceful government within

Somalia and provide Somali Federal Security Institutions to revitalize the livelihoods of

Somali people. Additionally, it is providing affordable and sustainable services which

enhance transparency and equally distribute public resources.

III. Topics To Consider

Lack of Democratic Governance

Previously, local governance systems in Somalia lacked the ability to deliver

sustainable services. President Mohamed Siad Barre had seized complete power over

Somalia in 1969. He established the Somali Democratic Republic, which eventually

collapsed and led the nation into complete turmoil. Barre was overthrown in 1991 and the

current president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is holding direct popular vote elections, but the

country lacks security and infrastructure.

Mohamud has established a provisional government within Somalia. The

provisional government has been lagging in its success and Somalia is under the control of

over 12 rival clans, including Al Qaeda and Al-Shabaab. Somalia has no central

government and local communities are under self rule by the clan leaders. The rival clans

make it difficult for the government to establish an effective and national system of service

delivery and infrastructure because they control almost all means of transportation.

Additionally, nations and national banks have halted their humanitarian efforts to Somalia

because they fear terrorist groups will intercept the supplies or funds.

Economic Instability

The majority of Somalia’s population is nomadic and is dependent on livestock and

other forms of agriculture. Somalia maintains an informal economy, a developing nation

9with poor employment and increasing poverty, with its main source of revenue

being livestock. With weak revenue and public financial management, there is little to no

foreign assistance and capacity development. The majority of Somalia’s income still comes

from livestock, agriculture, and exports to Saudi Arabia, which is not adequate enough to

support reconstruction and infrastructure. Somalia’s is economically unstable and war torn,

therefore leading its civilians to turn to the black market or drug-based job opportunities.

Somalia lacks the governmental capacity to support its citizens because of its unstable

macroeconomic environment and insufficient terrorist group control.

During the Somalian Civil War, roads, school systems, water sources, bridges,

markets, and health facilities were destroyed. The lack of education put a strain on its

children, as only one in 5 children now attend school. Somalia has one of the lowest

education enrollments, mainly because of the civil war and lack of economic revenue.

Terrorism within the Nation

Al- Shabaab has aligned with Al Qaeda and are now conducting operations across

the nation. Al-Shabaab is contributing immensely to the nation's economic instability. It

has taken control of the nation’s ports and exports, and therefore the country’s revenue.

Their efforts to directly target the nation’s main source of revenue has contributed to

Somalia’s loss of foreign relations and trading partners. Its main sources of revenue include

livestock, fish, charcoal, bananas, sugar, and corn. Al-Shabaab seeks the creation of the

'Islamic Emirate of Somalia' and uses guerilla war tactics to conquer its land. Overall,

terrorist acts have created an unstable macroeconomic environment and microeconomic

instability for its people. Al-Shabaab finds the Somali government its greatest threat and

has attacked AMISOM peacekeepers.

IV. Case Study

Australia

Recently, the Australian Government has made significant progress towards

10establishing infrastructure reforms. They have set up a Nation Building Program to develop

roads, railways and port security. Specifically the Port of Melbourne, one of the largest

ports in Australia, is a key source of the nation’s exports and imports. Australia set up

Infrastructure Planning Systems and Delivery Systems, and their five step framework

requires all public sectors within the nation to create a Government Planning and

Coordination Committee (GPCC) and prepare structure plans for new urban growth areas.

Australia has had a major comeback from its previously detrimental economy, struggling to

provide job opportunities within the nation. Australia’s market had collapsed because it

could not compete with the global marketplace, but its GDP grew 2.3% from 2014-2015

and has produced over $970 billion. Additionally employing over $3.1 million workers,

Australia’s economic recession and subsequent infrastructure reforms serve as a guide to

other nations during difficult times of governance and infrastructural service delivery.

Questions to Consider

1. What necessary improvements must be made to the already existing infrastructure?

2. How could Somalia effectively produce revenue and enhance port security in order

to combat terrorist groups in Somalia?

3. How can we prevent terrorist groups, like Al-Shabaab, from getting a hold of

valuable resources?

4. Should the international community help provide effective democratic governance

within the region? How can we prevent repeating past events?

5. In what ways can nations help provide Somali citizens with education, job

opportunities and revenue?

6. Has your nation utilized solutions for economic growth that Somalia could model

off of?

7. Which types of service delivery require the most attention?

11Work Cited

"Somalia." Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, FDI, Corruption. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Al Shabaab." Stanford University. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2016

Taleski, Dane. "Somalia." Freedom House |. Visiting Fellow, n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"IDMC » Somalia: Over a Million IDPs Need Support for Local Solutions."IDMC

» Somalia: Over a Million IDPs Need Support for Local Solutions. N.p., n.d. Web.

21 May 2016.

"Somalia: Failure to Build Somali Forces Blocks Amisom Exit, Study

Says." AllAfrica.com. N.p., 28 Feb. 2016. Web. 21 May 2016.

"AMISOM." AMISOM. African Mission In Somalia, n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Somalia: The Fallen Sub-Saharan African Country." Somalia: The Fallen Sub-Saharan

African Country. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Somalia Country Profile." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Somalia Registers Record Exports of 5 Million Livestock in 2014." FAO - News Article: .

N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Somalia Economic Outlook." - African Development Bank. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"Somalia's Corruption Epidemic." - Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera Media Network, 2016.

Web. 21 May 2016.

Shepherd, Jessica. "70 Million Children Get No Education, Says Report." The Guardian.

Guardian News and Media, 20 Sept. 2010. Web. 21 May 2016.

"National Counterterrorism Center | Groups." National Counterterrorism Center | Groups.

N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2016.

"How Somalia's Al Shabab Grew Into a Global Terror Threat." NBC News. N.p., n.d. Web.

21 May 2016.

7Topic B: Providing Sustainable Energy in Underdeveloped

Countries

13

I. Background

The international community partakes in a constant cycle of production and

consumption. For as long as humans have been alive, there has been a biological desire to

industrialize and expand. Energy resources have grown in accessibility, providing humans

with greater mobility and convenient economic opportunities. Although these production

mechanisms have contributed to the success of the developed world, there are repercussions

the international community must address. Not only has the current source of energy, such as

fossil fuels, proven a threat to the environment, but its inaccessibility in third world nations

broadens the gap between countries that are underdeveloped and those that are developed.

Over two billion people lack access to energy sources such as electricity that industrialized

nations consider a basic necessity. It is imperative to expand energy accessibility to these

underdeveloped nations. In addition, ensuring these alternative energy outputs are sustainable

and efficient should be the main focus of the growing issue of climate change and

socioeconomic problems. With an increase in renewable energy, underdeveloped nations will

see a decline in poverty, growth in agricultural development, and preservation of health.

II. U.N. Involvement

The United Nations has been at the center of resolving sustainable energy, and the

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working to reduce poverty and

expand the development of rural nations through the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL)

initiative. According to the UN Secretary General, this initiative's objectives are to “ensure

universal access to modern energy services, double the global rate of improvement in energy

14efficiency, and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” Another

organization, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is devoted to funding technology to

provide renewable energy and eliminate obstacles that underdeveloped nations face through

urban expansion. They have provided 100 nations with $1.2 billion for renewable energy

projects. Some of the countries given aid include China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico.

GEF has become the “largest public sector renewable energy technology transfer mechanism in

the world.” GEF has been specifically successful in China, expanding their renewable electricity

market through solar power in communities and sustainable energy used in irrigation pumps and

water.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) began on

March 21, 1992 to hold nations responsible for the effects they have on the environment. The

purpose of this conference is for governments to “gather and share information on greenhouse

gas emissions, national policies and best practices, launch national strategies for addressing

greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to expected impacts.” Five years later, an amendment

was added to the UNFCCC named the Kyoto Protocol. This commits nations to designate

specific environmental emission goals. When nations don’t exceed their predetermined goal,

greenhouse gas emissions decrease nationally by 5%. Through multiple organizations, and the

Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations has been proactive in sustainable energy

measures throughout the international community.

III. Topics To Consider

Economic Progression

Most underdeveloped nations are rural and lack basic technologies to help communities

thrive. Supplying power for water pumps can advance irrigation in the agricultural industry,

which nations often rely on. Although the advancement of the industries themselves are

imperative, it is important to eradicate the heart of the problem first: supplying electricity.

Providing electricity to businesses will allow for more advancements in technology by

15industrializing and improving machinery. Utilizing renewable energy such as wind and solar

power will ensure a continuation of available resources. However, it is also important that

organisations such as SE4ALL educate civilians on the importance of supporting sustainable

energy. The competition between fossil fuels and renewable energy often results in civilians

paying for what they can afford, which usually is fossil fuels. It is important they realize the

reliability of renewable energy and see the deflation in price over the years. Although fossil

fuels seem cheaper on the surface, they come with a lifetime of refueling and unreliability.

Green technology often runs on the elements such as wind and sun, in which refueling is

unnecessary. Renewable energy also benefits the economy of local governments by

accumulating property and income taxes from sustainable energy project owners. This

money pools into a cycle of green projects to expand industry. Implementing laws and

encouraging nations to set strict guidelines on fossil fuel emissions can boost the economic

feasibility of sustainable energy.

Social Progression

Alongside poverty, the international community should simultaneously support social

programs in underdeveloped nations to ensure equity and the empowerment of women.

Currently, lack of green technology limits jobs because of the minimal technological

advances. Economists at Economics for Equity & Environment released a study which

concluded that “reducing emissions, becoming energy independent through clean energy and

embracing the green economy would generate net job growth.” Considering green

technology is more labor intensive, more job opportunities would be available to civilians.

When fossil fuels limit jobs, it defines immutable gender roles as it prevents women from

competing with men. Accessibility to sustainable energy can develop local industries within

communities, creating a strong work environment. It will also provide durable light to

houses, hospitals, and schools to ensure that civilians have equal opportunities to receive

education and basic necessities of survival. With easily accessible education, children and

16young adults can specialize in certain preferred skills to get a kickstart into the workfield.

Renewable energy enables equal opportunities in underdeveloped communities regardless of

gender and age.

Environmental Sustainability

Greenhouse gasses have a detrimental effect on the environment, as they release

excessive carbon dioxide resulting in climate change, poor air quality, oil spills, and acid

rain. Over the past 200 years, the earth’s average temperature has increased by an entire

degree Fahrenheit due to human influence. This results in extreme weather patterns and

droughts that directly affect infrastructure of communities and agricultural industries. Not

only do they permanently affect physical land, but human health is also put at risk by

pollution and toxic gasses. Communities can act by utilizing wind, solar, and hydroelectric

systems as a form of emission free energy. Not only does this protect air quality, but it

refrains from water usage and minimizes pollution in that field. It is essential that countries

are aware of fossil fuel’s potential hazards and the benefits of utilizing sustainable energy.

IV. Case Study

South Africa

South Africa’s economy is dependent on coal to supply 93% of the nation’s energy.

They are classified as one of the top twenty nations that release the largest number of

greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturing synthetic liquids and the economy’s dependence

on coal mining are strong contributors to the pollutants released by fossil fuels. In addition to

harmful effects on the environment, these pollutants have social and economic effects on

communities. One consequence is the creation of environmental refugees due to land loss,

degradation, and extreme weather patterns. Considering these refugees no longer have

homes, The Kuyasa housing project in Cape Town, South Africa partnered with the network-

based organisation South South North (SSN) to advance communities in the area. The

program reconstructs poverty-ridden neighborhoods through the production of

17affordable houses equipped with, “solar water heaters, water efficient showers, hot taps and

drains, ceilings and ceiling insulation and energy-efficient lighting.” This is likely to reduce

household electricity use and cost by 40% and minimize pollutant gas production by 2.9 tons

of carbon dioxide per house each year. Respiratory conditions such as pneumonia and carbon

monoxide poisoning were also reduced during the use of sustainable energy in households.

Not only does this help household economics, but it has an impact on the national economy.

When poverty stricken civilians no longer have to focus on large electricity and health bills,

their spending in the community increases, boosting the local economy. Economically and

ecologically, this project had a significant impact on cities such as Khayelitsha, South Africa.

However, the next step will be to involve communities at a local level by encouraging

involvement and cooperation in the construction of these housing units.

Questions to Consider

1. Has your country utilized sustainable energy measures, and if so, how?

2. How can the international community make sustainable energy more affordable and

competitive in the market?

3. What incentives should nations offer to encourage the use of renewable energy?

4. How is your nation or how can your nation reduce environmental impacts?

19Works Cited

Heal, Geoffrey. "The Economics of Renewable Energy." (2009): n. pag. Web.

"The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May

2016.

"Ongoing Projects." - GSSEP. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.

"Kyoto Protocol." Kyoto Protocol. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.

"Renewable Energy in the Developing World: The Global Environment Facility Makes It a

Reality | Global Environment Facility." Renewable Energy in the Developing World: The

Global Environment Facility Makes It a Reality | Global Environment Facility. N.p., n.d.

Web. 18 May 2016.

"S.A.P.I.EN.S." Sustainable Energy for Developing Countries. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.

"Sustainable Development in Developing Countries: Case Studies of Sustainable Consumption

and Production in South Africa and India." Academia.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.

"Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All)." Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All). N.p., n.d. Web. 18

May 2016.

"Sustainable Energy." UNDP. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.

"United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change." United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.