Dear Delegates,
It is my distinct honor and pleasure to welcome you to the World Trade Organization at the twenty-sixth session of the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference! I look forward to the opportunity to get to know all of you during what is sure to be an exciting weekend of dynamic and nuanced discussion.
I am a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences studying International Relations and Economics. A devoted member of the International Affairs Association, I served as Chief of Staff for ILMUNC 2009, and have served as a two-time Chair at UPMUNC, our college conference. I am also an active member in Penn’s student government. When not running around campus for something related to these two activities, I can usually be found engaging in sarcastic commentary with friends, downtown at one of Philadelphia’s many fabulous restaurants, or my favorite pastime-- some combination of the two.
The work of the WTO carries particular relevance today, as the landscape of international economic interconnectedness has changed dramatically and governments must determine what role they will play in shaping its future. The two topics to be discussed by this committee are of paramount importance to the livelihood of both global economic progress and of the WTO itself. In particular, the global financial crisis threatens the network of multilateral trade; its far-reaching implications necessitate a rethinking of how the WTO fits into the scheme of international institutions, actors and mechanisms. The specter of new protectionism looms large; unchecked, it could spur a reversal of decades of progressive trade liberalization. It is up to you, the WTO ministers, to determine how best to discourage isolationist measures and facilitate worldwide economic recovery.
Furthermore, the credibility and functionality of the WTO have been eroded by the fruitless negotiations over agricultural subsidies of the failed Doha Round. Development must remain a centerpiece of the international economic agenda, but requires an injection of new approaches addressing the shortcomings of prior discussions. As WTO ministers, you must determine how to allocate policy space for the fundamental needs of development in the midst of crisis, and must strive to break through the present incompatibilities over agricultural subsidies.
It is my sincere hope that you share my passion for international economic affairs and excitement for an incredibly fun and productive weekend, both in and out of committee. I look forward to meeting you and wish you the best of luck in your preparations.
Sincerely,
Dasha Barannik
Chair, World Trade Organization
Ivy League Model United Nations Conference XXVI