SPECPOL (GA Fourth Committee) in Model UN

SPECPOL is short for the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, the fourth of the General Assembly's six Main Committees. It covers decolonization, peacekeeping, Palestine refugees (UNRWA), Israeli practices in the occupied territories, outer space and atomic radiation. Conferences numbering committees call it GA4, and its Model UN topics run from decolonization and border disputes to peacekeeping missions.

Updated Oct 25, 2026

  • 3 countries: on 92 to 93% of seat lists
  • 23 more seats in a typical simulation of 26

Upcoming SPECPOL conferences

42 conferences

Browse all Model UN conferences

SPECPOL topics in Model UN

Of 436 SPECPOL topics on mymun, 18% are about decolonization and self-determination, 9% about maritime and border disputes and 8% about peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

ThemeShare of topics
  1. Decolonization and self-determination 18%

    Example: Ensuring the Right to Cultural Preservation in Post-Colonial Societies, Norwich International School Model United Nations IV

  2. Maritime and border disputes 9%

    Example: The Territorial Dispute between Egypt and Sudan over the Halayeb Triangle, Galabov Model United Nations

  3. Peacekeeping and peacebuilding 8%

    Example: Bridging the Gap Between Peacekeeping and Long-term Civil Stability, The English College in Prague MUN

  4. Armed conflicts 7%

    Example: Addressing Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Independent Prague Model United Nations

  5. Outer space 6%

    Example: Establishing guidelines to ensure peaceful uses of Outer Space, Perrott Hill British School Model United Nations

  6. Cyber and AI 5%

    Example: Establishing Guidelines to regulate Cyber Colonialism, St George's British International School Rome Model United Nations

  7. Human rights 5%

    Example: Protecting the rights of indigenous populations in tourism and resource extraction, Aprogen Model United Nations

  8. Refugees and migration 4%

    Example: Adressing statelessness, Interschool Rhetoric Conference

From 436 SPECPOL topics on mymun. A topic can touch several themes.

Places named in SPECPOL topics

  1. Western Sahara 4%
  2. Palestine 3%
  3. Israel 3%
  4. Arctic 2%
  5. China 2%
  6. Middle East 2%
  7. Syria 2%

Share of 436 SPECPOL topics on mymun that name the place.

Recent SPECPOL topics

  1. Addressing the protection of rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees persisting in Central African Nations

    GSMUN Cyprus
    Refugees and migration

  2. Protecting the rights of indigenous populations in tourism and resource extraction

    Aprogen Model United Nations
    Human rights

  3. Determining international standards for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern conflict

    The English College in Prague MUN
    Cyber and AI

  4. Establishing guidelines to ensure peaceful uses of Outer Space

    Perrott Hill British School Model United Nations
    Outer space

  5. The Question of Sovereign Rights and Resource Jurisdiction in the Arctic amid Intensifying Great-Power Competition

    Navrachana International Model United Nations XVI

  6. Evaluating efforts for implementing self-governance in the Chagos Islands, with an emphasis on the autonomy of the indigenous population

    Vistula Model United Nations
    Decolonization and self-determinationHuman rights

  7. Measures to advance the right to self-determination and address the continuing political, economic, and social impacts of colonialism

    Hillel Model United Nations
    Decolonization and self-determination

  8. Safeguarding the Economic Sovereignty of LDCs Against Exploitative Transnational Agreements and Neo-Colonial Trade Practices

    Korean Youth Online Model United Nations
    Decolonization and self-determination

SPECPOL countries in Model UN

China, France and the United States appear on 92 to 93% of SPECPOL seat lists on mymun, and the United Kingdom and Russia on 87 to 89%.

  • 3 countries: on 92 to 93% of seat lists
  • 23 more seats in a typical simulation of 26

Most often seated

CountryShare of seat lists
  1. 1China93%
  2. 2France93%
  3. 3United States92%
  4. 4United Kingdom89%
  5. 5Russia87%
  6. 6India79%
  7. 7Germany74%
  8. 8Japan73%
  9. 9Brazil72%
  10. 10South Africa66%
  11. 11Canada63%
  12. 12Iran63%

Share of 300 SPECPOL seat lists on mymun.

Most requested

CountryShare of applicants
  1. 1France9%
  2. 2United States7%
  3. 3China6%
  4. 4United Kingdom6%
  5. 5Russia6%
  6. 6India4%
  7. 7Canada3%
  8. 8Australia3%
  9. 9Germany3%
  10. 10Türkiye2%
  11. 11Spain2%
  12. 12Indonesia2%

Share of 5,445 SPECPOL applicants on mymun who asked for the country.

SPECPOL in Model UN: quick answers

How many delegates are in a SPECPOL committee?

In the real Fourth Committee all 193 UN member states have a seat. SPECPOL simulations on mymun seated about 26 delegations.

What does decolonization mean in SPECPOL?

The UN still lists 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, from Western Sahara to island territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The Fourth Committee takes them up in five decolonization agenda items.

Is SPECPOL a good committee for beginners?

It depends on the agenda: SPECPOL can jump from one territory's status to peacekeeping or outer space, so each topic needs its own background reading.

What topics does SPECPOL debate in Model UN?

Top themes in 436 SPECPOL topics on mymun: decolonization and self-determination (18%), maritime and border disputes (9%) and peacekeeping and peacebuilding (8%). Places named most often: Western Sahara, Palestine, Israel, the Arctic and China.