World Health Organization

The world has experienced a profound shock in 2019 and the following years due to the rapid and uncontrollable COVID-19 outbreak. Millions of people lost their lives, economic crises emerged and global poverty increased for the first time in a generation. However, this was not the first pandemic the world has faced. Previous outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS, H1N1 influenza, SARS, and Ebola, serve as reminders that pandemics are not isolated events, but recurring threats. With rising global population, accelerating globalization, rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and increasing contact between humans and animals, experts warn that pandemic events are likely to become more frequent - and potentially more severe - despite recent advances in medicine and vaccination. Thus it is essential to focus on the root causes and prevent pandemics at their source. Some main areas of focus are antimicrobial resistance, laboratory release of pathogens and the spillover of zoonotic viruses from animals to humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working since 2021 to draft an international convention tackling these complex issues. This committee will explore effective strategies to prevent future pandemics by tackling underlying drivers, strengthening health systems, and fostering international cooperation.

Malnutrition – encompassing both undernutrition and overnutrition – has become one of the most urgent public health challenges of the 21st century. Since 1990, global adult obesity rates have more than doubled, while adolescent obesity has increased fourfold. Still, many populations suffer from inadequate access to essential nutrients. As of 2022, one in eight people worldwide is living with obesity, and millions more experience other forms of dietary imbalance. This is not a challenge limited to developed nations—unhealthy eating patterns and nutrition-related health issues are rising across all regions and income levels. Poor nutrition, whether due to excess or deficiency, significantly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and certain cancers, placing immense strain on healthcare systems. The World Health Organization calls upon its Member States to collaborate in solving this globally infected issue. It is necessary to do all the steps needed to prevent the future generations from further contracting this crisis.