LEAGUE OF ARAB STATEs
Committee description:
INTERMEDIATE COMMITTEE
The League of Arab States (LAS) is a regional body composed of 22 Arab countries, originally established in Cairo on March 22, 1945. This committee will have a focus on cooperation between Arab states and will explore pressing issues affecting the Arab world, including humanitarian crises and ensuring education for youth. The League of Arab States' mission is to coordinate policy across the vastly diverse political, economic, and cultural region. The chairs are thrilled to serve on this committee and look forward to the thoughtful solutions you will bring to the table.
Topic 1: RESPONDING TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The Middle East and North Africa host millions of displaced individuals from neighboring countries and have substantial numbers of their population being displaced or becoming refugees across the globe. The committee can work on policies to address the numerous challenges refugees and displaced individuals face, and they can focus on legal recognition in the country they migrate to. The delegates can work to see the huge burdens on countries and how to help relieve some of that. For example, in Lebanon, there are 815,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Lebanon, but the government estimates that 1.5 million Syrian refugees live there.
Topic 2: STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS THE ARAB WORLD
The Arab World is unified through their common culture and language, with regional economic partnerships having the potential to become stronger even as many Arab countries heavily rely on oil exports. The committee can work on policies to enhance trade cooperation, where economic integration would be suitable, and how it can stabilize economies in conflict regions. Delegates can examine how the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional union with seven Gulf countries promoting economic cooperation, and the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), a regional trade agreement between 18 Arab countries, promote trade and economic integration.
ABOUT YOUR DIRECTOR:
JAD ABDEL NOUR
Jad Abdel Nour is a first-year in Benjamin Franklin College from Los Angeles, CA, majoring in Global Affairs and Cognitive Science. He is excited to serve as Under-Secretary-General of Outreach for the first iteration of YMUN South Asia! At Yale, he is a part of the First-Year Class Council, the Yale Policy Institute, and the Dwight Hall Socially Responsible Investment Fund. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, baking, and exploring the outdoors. Please feel free to reach him at outreach@ymunsouthasia.org.