MUNESCO 2026

Model UNESCO on the Ethics of AI is the formal Model United Nations component of the Global Youth Forum on the Ethics of AI. It is a one-day, six-committee simulation held entirely inside UNESCO Headquarters, in which 250 young delegates from across the 194 Member States debate, draft, and adopt a Youth Resolution on the Operationalisation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

The Recommendation, adopted in November 2021, is the first global standard on AI ethics. It is binding on the 194 Member States and is anchored on four core values, ten operational principles, and eleven policy action areas. The Model UNESCO takes the Recommendation as its working text. Every draft resolution tabled in any committee must cite the Recommendation by paragraph number. A resolution that does not cite the Recommendation is out of order. This is the rule that makes the Model UNESCO different from a generic MUN: the substance of the debate is the substantive text of an actual international instrument.

The Model UNESCO follows a simplified but faithful version of THIMUN procedure. Speakers speak from a published list. Points of order, points of information, and points of personal privilege are recognised by the Bureau. Draft resolutions are tabled clause by clause. Amendments are voted on in reverse order. A simple majority suffices for procedural votes. A two-thirds majority is required for substantive votes on the final Resolution. The timer is visible to every delegate. The clock governs the day.