The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the UN Charter and is charged with ensuring international peace and security. The UNSC was established on January 17, 1946, and includes five permanent members; the United States, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, and China. There are 10 non-permanent members, elected each year by the General Assembly for a two-year term. The UNSC has the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states, and this year at JBCN Oshiwara MUN 2024, the UNSC will discuss the contention over the South China Sea.

 

The South China Sea is a disputed area over which China claims; land, airspace, islands, and seabeds in the 9/10/11 dash lines. The South China Sea consists of an estimated 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas making this area rich in natural resources and desirable to neighbouring countries. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Seas (UNCLOS) hands countries control over Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) extending 200 nautical miles from the coast, however, the signatories have repeatedly violated the UNCLOS for personal gain. Delegates, the fate of the South China Sea lies in your hands and as the UNSC, the committee is responsible for engaging in dialogue and discussion pertaining to the areas of conflict and militarisation of claimed waters.