Liu Yangyang

524652046@qq.com

THE 2025 Greater Bay Area International Model United Nations (GBAIMUN) conference, themed “Building Regional Synergy and Advancing Global Sustainable Development,” concluded in Shenzhen yesterday.

The two-day event was hosted by Shenzhen News Group’s Education and Media Group and EyeShenzhen.

Nearly 200 young delegates from over 50 leading universities, high schools, and Model United Nations organizations across China gathered to simulate multilateral diplomacy.

The participants engaged in discussions on critical global issues, including AI and regional peace, generating youth-driven perspectives on, and innovative solutions to, these issues.

The conference was conducted in both Chinese and English.

During the opening ceremony, Gu Ting, vice president of the Shenzhen People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said, “Hosting this event in Shenzhen demonstrates the passion and commitment of Shenzhen’s youth to global governance.”

He encouraged young participants to deepen their understanding of international affairs.

Liu Bo, chairman of the organizing committee, emphasized that the event provides young people with a “practical classroom” to better understand the world and engage in global governance.

“During the event, students directly confront conflicts, mediate differences, and seek consensus, which will not only enhance their negotiation skills and leadership but also deepen their sense of responsibility,” Liu explained.

Wang Jiaheng, a student from Shenzhen Foreign Languages School, shared her experience at the event.

“Through role-playing and negotiations, we were inspired to think critically about international issues. The experience has helped us improve our skills in negotiation, leadership, and public speaking,” Wang said.

Ahead of the conference, Sawal, a student from Shenzhen Foreign Languages School (High School Campus), spoke about his participation in UNICEF — the U.N. agency for children. His topic was combating the recruitment of child soldiers and the protection of their rights in Sudan.

“I prepared extensively by researching online, reading literature, and understanding the background of the issue,” Sawal explained. “Since this was an English-speaking committee, all my research and document reviews were in English, which presented a significant challenge.”

Amber Xie, from Shen Wai International School, said the event provided her with a platform to voice her views on global issues. “As the younger generation, it’s our responsibility to use our energy and creativity to make a difference, advocate for our ideas, and propose solutions to important global issues.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Model United Nations activities in China.