The Closing Ceremony of the UNESCAP–Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) Conference was held with great dignity and inspiration at the United Nations Conference Centre of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), highlighting the transformative power of Model United Nations as a global platform for youth leadership, diplomacy, and peacebuilding.
This significant international event was organized through the collaboration between Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) and the United Peace Keepers Federal Council (UNPKFC), with a shared vision to strengthen the role of youth as Global Citizens and future leaders through experiential learning in a real United Nations environment.
Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN), which holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), continues to demonstrate its strong credibility and active contribution to youth development, education, peacebuilding, and sustainable development initiatives worldwide.
Through its partnership with UNESCAP, the conference provided participants with a unique opportunity to engage directly in a simulated United Nations process, allowing them to develop critical skills in negotiation, policy-making, and international dialogue while contributing to discussions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The conference brought together more than 300 youth delegates from across the world, alongside diplomats, representatives of international organizations, educators, and peacebuilding institutions.
The Model United Nations framework enabled participants to simulate real diplomatic processes, exchange diverse perspectives, and propose innovative policy solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The United Peace Keepers Federal Council (UNPKFC), as a key partner, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering youth through peacebuilding initiatives, citizen diplomacy, and international collaboration.
The partnership between MMUN and UNPKFC represents a strategic effort to expand global platforms that enable young leaders to actively engage in shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future.
Highlights of the Closing Ceremony included:
• Opening Remarks by Ms. Debra Porcelli, Founder and Executive Director of Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN), on behalf of the MMUN Secretariat and Organizing Committee
• Keynote Address by Dr. Aphinita Chaichana, Global President of the United Peace Keepers Federal Council (UNPKFC), Global Chairperson for Southeast Asia of the United Nations Association of Coachella Valley California Chapter U.S.A.(UNA-USA), and Honorary Member of the Royal Society of Saint George
• Keynote Speech by Dr. Sultan Azam Temuri, Former Peacekeeping Officer of the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and Global Chairperson of the United Peace Keepers Federal Council (UNPKFC)
• Special Address by H.E. Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, Senior Diplomat and Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations
• Inspirational Address by Opal Suchata Chuangsri, Miss World 2025
• Official Presentation of Conference Outcomes and Youth-Led Policy Recommendations
Peace performance by the UNPKFC Young Peace Ambassadors, presenting “We Are the World” and “Heal the World” as a symbolic expression of unity, hope, and global solidarity
Dr. Aphinita Chaichana was also honored to deliver the Closing Address. Speaking on behalf of the United Peace Keepers Federal Council (UNPKFC), Dr. Aphinita reaffirmed a strong commitment to fully support and advance youth empowerment in all dimensions—through capacity building, international platforms, peace initiatives, and meaningful participation in global processes.
The address emphasized that Model United Nations is not only an educational platform but a powerful mechanism for cultivating visionary leaders equipped with global perspectives, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to drive change through dialogue and peaceful cooperation.
The Closing Ceremony marked a significant milestone in advancing youth leadership and reinforcing the importance of Model United Nations as a global instrument for diplomacy, education, and peacebuilding.
It reflects a shared responsibility among the international community to invest in youth as key drivers of a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.
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