Disarmament and International Security Committee

The modern security landscape is evolving rapidly, expanding beyond traditional borders into new domains of conflict. Nations today face complex challenges both on Earth and beyond, on the seas and in space. At HMUN Australia, the DISEC General Assembly will explore two pressing issues threatening global stability: Topic A: Preventing the Militarization of Disputed Maritime Regions and Topic B: Regulating the Military Use of Surveillance Satellites. Topic A focuses on rising tensions in multiple contested waters such as the South China Sea, the Arctic, and the Eastern Mediterranean. These regions are vital for trade and rich in resources. They have now become militarized as states assert territorial claims through naval presence. Delegates must be able to navigate international law, particularly UNCLOS, while exploring ways to reduce escalation, promote diplomatic resolution, and ensure freedom of navigation. Topic B then shifts the committee’s attention to outer space. It was once a peaceful scientific frontier, but now it is increasingly used for military surveillance. Nations continue to deploy satellites for intelligence gathering and many have been raising concerns over privacy, espionage, and the growing weaponization of space. Delegates must consider how to regulate dual-use technologies, the role of private corporations in military surveillance, and whether existing treaties like the Outer Space Treaty remain sufficient. Delegates will first choose to tackle either Topic A or Topic B, bringing well-researched, creative, and actionable solutions to the table. Today and in the future, whether delegates choose to help prevent future naval conflicts or shape norms for peace in space, this year’s DISEC committee demands diplomacy that looks beyond today’s borders and into tomorrow’s battlegrounds.