Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) in Model UN

The Commission on Science and Technology for Development is an ECOSOC commission of 43 member states, set up in 1992. It meets yearly in Geneva, with UNCTAD as its secretariat, and is the focal point for the UN's follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society. In Model UN, CSTD simulations debate technology policy, and their most common theme is cyber and AI.

Updated Oct 25, 2026

  • 4 countries: on 90 to 100% of seat lists
  • 16 more seats in a typical simulation of 20

Upcoming CSTD conferences

14 conferences

Browse all Model UN conferences

CSTD topics in Model UN

Of 119 CSTD topics on mymun, 51% are about cyber and AI, 8% about economy and development and 8% about health and pandemics.

ThemeShare of topics
  1. Cyber and AI 51%

    Example: The influence of artificial intelligence on epidemics, Costa Rica International Model United Nations

  2. Economy and development 8%

    Example: Evaluating the use of genetic engineering to achieve the sustainable development goals, Model United Nations Of Malmö

  3. Health and pandemics 8%

    Example: The ethical use of AI and Biotechnology in terms of healthcare, Georges Duby Model United Nations

  4. Climate and environment 7%

    Example: Technology's Role in Building Disaster Resilience and Climate Adaptation, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid Model United Nations

From 119 CSTD topics on mymun. A topic can touch several themes.

Recent CSTD topics

  1. Establishing an international regulatory framework for the use of AI-powered surveillance and monitoring technologies in autonomous systems and robotics

    International Model United Nations of Ecuador
    Cyber and AI

  2. The Ethical Governance of Biotechnology: Developing international frameworks for the governance of gene-edited crops while promoting food security

    Kant Model United Nations

  3. The influence of artificial intelligence on epidemics

    Costa Rica International Model United Nations
    Cyber and AIHealth and pandemics

  4. Establishing International Standards for Data Ownership and Sovereignty in Artificial Intelligence Development

    Korean Youth Online Model United Nations
    Cyber and AI

  5. Regulating Autonomous AI Weapons Systems and Machine Learning in Warfare

    International Tech and AI Model United Nations
    Cyber and AI

  6. Discussing Methods of Agriculture Development in the Sphere of Fertilizer Production

    Płock Model United Nations

  7. Harnessing Emerging Technologies to Enhance Regional Stability and Sustainable Development while addressing their Misuse in Hybrid Warfare in the Indo-Pacific

    Deutsche Schule der Borromäerinnen Kairo Model United Nations
    Economy and development

  8. Examining opportunities and regulatory challenges in the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare

    Towarzystwo Edukacyjne Vizja Model United Nations
    Cyber and AIHealth and pandemics

CSTD countries in Model UN

China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan appear on 90 to 100% of CSTD seat lists on mymun, and France on 87%. The Commission's 43 four-year seats are split by region: 11 African, 9 Asian, 5 Eastern European, 8 Latin American and Caribbean, and 10 Western European and other states.

  • 4 countries: on 90 to 100% of seat lists
  • 16 more seats in a typical simulation of 20

Most often seated

CountryShare of seat lists
  1. 1China100%
  2. 2United States98%
  3. 3United Kingdom93%
  4. 4Japan90%
  5. 5France87%
  6. 6Germany84%
  7. 7India84%
  8. 8Russia79%
  9. 9Brazil75%
  10. 10Canada74%
  11. 11South Africa64%
  12. 12South Korea62%

Share of 89 CSTD seat lists on mymun.

Most requested

CountryShare of applicants
  1. 1United States11%
  2. 2Germany9%
  3. 3China8%
  4. 4Japan8%
  5. 5United Kingdom6%
  6. 6India6%
  7. 7Canada6%
  8. 8France5%
  9. 9Australia4%
  10. 10South Korea4%
  11. 11Brazil3%
  12. 12Russia3%

Share of 2,494 CSTD applicants on mymun who asked for the country.

CSTD in Model UN: quick answers

How many delegates are in a CSTD committee?

The real Commission has 43 members. CSTD simulations on mymun seated about 20 delegations.

Does the CSTD make binding decisions?

No. It gives the General Assembly and ECOSOC high-level advice on science and technology for development, and it is the UN's focal point for following up the World Summit on the Information Society.

Is the CSTD a good committee for beginners?

Yes: there is no treaty to master, and UNCTAD, the Commission's secretariat, covers AI for development in its Technology and Innovation Report 2025.

What topics does the CSTD debate in Model UN?

Top themes in 119 CSTD topics on mymun: cyber and AI (51%), economy and development (8%) and health and pandemics (8%).