GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS
UN DAY
Since 2009, GIMUN has collaborated every year with the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva to organise UN Day around the time of the anniversary in October as well as in Spring. Each year, about 100 participants with all kinds of cultural and social backgrounds come to the Palais des Nations in Geneva to get to know the UN and to participate in interesting debates about current issues.
What is UN Day?
The anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It has traditionally been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the Organization. In 1971, the General Assembly recommended that Member States observe it as a public holiday.
Since 2009, GIMUN has collaborated every year with the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva to organize UN Day around the time of the anniversary. Each year, about 100 participants with all kinds of cultural and social backgrounds come to the Palais des Nations in Geneva to get to know the UN and to participate in interesting debates about current issues.
The event gives young people a platform to express their visions regarding a selected topic under an overarching theme that changes every year. The panel discussions are led by experts in their respective fields.
The event is bilingual and every participant has the chance to take part in one of four panels, two of which are held in French and two where English is spoken.
UN DAY 2026
"Preventing Climate-Driven Migrations Conflicts"
GIMUN's UN Day 2026 continued what was started in 2009: a day-long debate at the Palais des Nations to celebrate the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter.
This year we addressed the topic of Climate-Driven Migration Conflicts.
Delegates were asked to reflect on the relationship between climate change, migrations and conflict, and more broadly to discuss three issues that are part of our present and that our generation will be called to solve.
The day unfolded as follows.
We started with the opening ceremony, where our President, Amelie Vinall, welcomed the delegates and reminded them of the role students can play in tackling today’s challenges, starting with climate change. She then gave the floor to our guest speaker, H.E. Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, who delivered an inspiring speech on the work of the United Nations in a time of global challenges.
She addressed climate change and migration, the need for solidarity and international cooperation, and the importance of governing Artificial Intelligence properly, including the fight against disinformation, before turning to the role of young people, who are called to tackle these issues in the future.
Right after the opening ceremony, some of our delegates, chairs and organising members took part in a series of communication activities. On one hand, members of the Executive Board gave a short interview for the Instagram stories of UN Geneva, presenting GIMUN and its work. Three delegates, the chairs and our Finance Director followed, answering questions about GIMUN, the United Nations and what it felt like to be at the Palais des Nations. On the other hand, our PR team conducted interviews with 4 delegates, interviews with four newly appointed delegates for the 2026 mandate, asking them what motivated them to join GIMUN and what they hope to contribute.
The next step was the debate, held as a simulated UNHCR committee chaired by Finn Pietz and Abril Ortega. It all started with the countries’ opening speeches and positions varied widely: some delegates called for urgent change and funding to contain this deadly global issue, while others tried to steer the debate away from the main topic.
Halfway through the second session, our HR team held a simulated press conference, playing journalists from two press outlets, and asked the delegate questions ranging from funding commitments to the legal recognition of people displaced by climate change. Delegates were asked, among other things, which concrete actions their countries were ready to make. Some answered with specific proposals, such as an oversight committee within the UN budget, or working with national and local authorities in host countries.
Throughout the day, the debate explored the topic in all its nuance, and it ended with the adoption of a resolution establishing a UN-funded Oversight Committee on climate migration to ensure transparency in the use of financial aid, while supporting vulnerable countries and host communities with full respect of state sovereignty.
The day came to an end with the closing ceremony, where our Vice-President, Jonathan Gatti, delivered the closing speech on global inequality and the responsibility it places on our generation, followed by the traditional group photo in front of the Celestial Sphere.
We warmly thank H.E. Ms. Tatiana Valovaya for her presence and her words, the UNOG NGO Liason for its support, UN Geneva for sharing the day on its instagram stories, and every delegate, chairs and organiser who made this day possible.
DISCLAIMER:
Please note that this debate was a simulation: participants were role-playing delegates and journalists, and what was said does not reflect the official positions of the states or media outlets they represented.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |