Epigram covered Bristol MUN's 2025 conference, where delegates from around the country came to debate a range of political issues. Read our live coverage of the events below.
Members of the press committee each wrote in the style of a different news outlet.
This year's conference had four committees:
UNHRC - Protecting the human rights of persons displaced by climate change.
SPECPOL - Addressing the humanitarian and political situation in Sudan.
IAEA - Set in 1986, taking urgent action to respond to the Chernobyl accident.
UNGA - Reforming the UN Security Council for the 21st century.
That brings us to the end of BrisMUN 2025
At the closing ceremony photos were taken, memes were displayed, awards were handed out and the University of Bath won Best Delegation.
At the closing ceremony photos were taken, memes were displayed, awards were handed out and the University of Bath won Best Delegation.
12:19 - IAEA reach bilateral agreement taking urgent action following the recent Chernobyl Disaster.
- Imi Dobber, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
- Imi Dobber, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
12:10 - South Korean delegate confesses to spying on the other delegates during the unmoderated Caucuses.
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
11:45 - Leak Received in UNGA
The leak describes an amendment to a motion for nation to have a mascot. It is The Economist's opinion that this is the work of India, due to prior behaviour. If so, it unfortunately suggests that the Indian delegate is not altogether serious.
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
The leak describes an amendment to a motion for nation to have a mascot. It is The Economist's opinion that this is the work of India, due to prior behaviour. If so, it unfortunately suggests that the Indian delegate is not altogether serious.
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
11:00 - Update on the Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council appears to be prioritising criticising the US, spearheaded by Russia, rather than working on comprehensive solutions to protect the human rights of persons displaced by climate change.
- Imi Dobber, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
The Human Rights Council appears to be prioritising criticising the US, spearheaded by Russia, rather than working on comprehensive solutions to protect the human rights of persons displaced by climate change.
- Imi Dobber, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
10: 29 - China Pledges to Veto new Permanent Members; Suggests Aspirants Should Develop Nuclear Missiles
In an update from the UNGA, China has told an Al Jazeera reporter of their intentions to stop any new vetoes with one of their own. They have also said that are willing to see a non-permanent expansion in council size.
Al Jazeera also understands an incoming leak to mean China has suggested to powers seeking to become permanent members that they develop more nuclear weapons in order to secure this position. The Republic of India has told Al Jazeera they plan to send nuclear missiles to Brazil so they can force their permanent membership.
- Ike Kalu, Al Jazeera
In an update from the UNGA, China has told an Al Jazeera reporter of their intentions to stop any new vetoes with one of their own. They have also said that are willing to see a non-permanent expansion in council size.
Al Jazeera also understands an incoming leak to mean China has suggested to powers seeking to become permanent members that they develop more nuclear weapons in order to secure this position. The Republic of India has told Al Jazeera they plan to send nuclear missiles to Brazil so they can force their permanent membership.
- Ike Kalu, Al Jazeera
9:30 - Day two of the conference begins
18:30 - Day one of the conference ends
18:30 - Day one of the conference ends
18:06 - UNHRC Update
The US falsely claims to represent a quarter of the world's population to excuse its excessive carbon footprint.
- Imi Dobbler, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
The US falsely claims to represent a quarter of the world's population to excuse its excessive carbon footprint.
- Imi Dobbler, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
17:20 - Sudanese Armed Forces Claim Responsibility for the Recent Bombing of UAE Embassy.
This breaking news shocked the SPECPOL, with big gasps from delegates of all countries
- Anastasia O'Reilly, Fox News
This breaking news shocked the SPECPOL, with big gasps from delegates of all countries
- Anastasia O'Reilly, Fox News
15:50- UN General Assembly Press Conference Update
India urges the necessity for a UN mascot, claiming it to be a symbol of unification that allows a fight for peace without division. In desperation the delegate points to a cuddly toy mascot to convince the committee of its necessity.
- Beatrice Toye, The Standard
India urges the necessity for a UN mascot, claiming it to be a symbol of unification that allows a fight for peace without division. In desperation the delegate points to a cuddly toy mascot to convince the committee of its necessity.
- Beatrice Toye, The Standard
15:39 IAEA Update
The UK probes the USSR asking, ‘Are compromising state secrets less important than protecting people's lives?’
The UK has introduced a motion at IAEA about the importance of transparency and accountability following the devastating Chernobyl incident. The USSR is failing to comment on their lack of freedom of press, with continued jamming of Western Freedom Radios including RFE/RL. These stations continue to provide life-saving news and information following the Chernobyl disaster.
- Imi Dobber, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
The UK probes the USSR asking, ‘Are compromising state secrets less important than protecting people's lives?’
The UK has introduced a motion at IAEA about the importance of transparency and accountability following the devastating Chernobyl incident. The USSR is failing to comment on their lack of freedom of press, with continued jamming of Western Freedom Radios including RFE/RL. These stations continue to provide life-saving news and information following the Chernobyl disaster.
- Imi Dobber, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
15:25 UNHRC Update
An unmoderated caucus has been called as the USA delegate gets into a heated debate over the country's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, despite the USA's ongoing support for the rights and dignity of climate migrants.
- Anastasia O'Reilly, Fox News
An unmoderated caucus has been called as the USA delegate gets into a heated debate over the country's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, despite the USA's ongoing support for the rights and dignity of climate migrants.
- Anastasia O'Reilly, Fox News
15:09 Breaking News from SPECPOL
Breaking! The SPECPOL committee dedicated to tackling the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan has erupted into a thirty minute unmoderated caucus - the maximum allowed. This comes after a period of intense debate where the UK was forced to issue an apology to Sudan after insulting its ability to provide sovereignty.
This just in! The delegate for Russia has just entered the SPECPOL debate after being absent for the entirety of this morning’s session. They have sat at the back ‘to intimidate the other delegates with their presence’.
- Sian Clarke, Le Monde
Breaking! The SPECPOL committee dedicated to tackling the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan has erupted into a thirty minute unmoderated caucus - the maximum allowed. This comes after a period of intense debate where the UK was forced to issue an apology to Sudan after insulting its ability to provide sovereignty.
This just in! The delegate for Russia has just entered the SPECPOL debate after being absent for the entirety of this morning’s session. They have sat at the back ‘to intimidate the other delegates with their presence’.
- Sian Clarke, Le Monde
15:00 UNHRC in Full Swing
Peru and Tuvalu have called for the introduction of a working paper concerning the rights of climate refugees. The delegate of Russia has criticised the use of ‘drill baby drill’ by US President Trump, calling for the reform of the Paris Agreement since the resignation of the US from it. Haiti has called for the recognition of the refugee convention, criticising the climate and developmental policies of the US and China.
- Leon Mewse, The Irish Times
Peru and Tuvalu have called for the introduction of a working paper concerning the rights of climate refugees. The delegate of Russia has criticised the use of ‘drill baby drill’ by US President Trump, calling for the reform of the Paris Agreement since the resignation of the US from it. Haiti has called for the recognition of the refugee convention, criticising the climate and developmental policies of the US and China.
- Leon Mewse, The Irish Times
14:33 - UN General Assembly Update
Highlighting the increasing incompetency of the current Western leaders, the UN General Assembly appears more concerned with the results of the rugby and football matches than the pressing security threats the UN faces.
- Sian Clarke, Le Monde
Highlighting the increasing incompetency of the current Western leaders, the UN General Assembly appears more concerned with the results of the rugby and football matches than the pressing security threats the UN faces.
- Sian Clarke, Le Monde
14:27 - Breaking News from the UNGA
South Africa starts a motion for permanent membership in the Security Council for nations in the global south
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
South Africa starts a motion for permanent membership in the Security Council for nations in the global south
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
The Economist Reports On UNGA: The UN Committee Discussing Reforming The Security Council For The 21st Century
12:10 to 12:30- The delegates give their opening statements.
12:30 to 1pm: Below is a summary of the key remarks made by the delegates.
China: The UN was set up to prevent World War Three, and that’s worked so far. So any reform has to be very carefully examined. ‘Should it (reform) be reflective or effective?’ China’s position is that a veto should not be extended to Germany or Japan.
South Africa: A continent that holds 18% of the global population is not included. This shows ‘a lack of respect.’
France: The UN was set up for a world that no longer exists. It must be changed to reflect the current world.
India: We need ‘regional representation.’ This will ensure peace in the world.
The running trend seems to be that countries with veto power don’t want to extend the privileges to other countries. Asian and African countries stress the importance of being treated as equals, while the old powers (Russia, China, America etc…) worry that an increase in vetos will merely ‘increase the already existing bureaucracy’ making it harder to solve conflict.
Mexico argues that no more countries should be given the veto so that power is no longer put in the hands of the few.
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
12:10 to 12:30- The delegates give their opening statements.
12:30 to 1pm: Below is a summary of the key remarks made by the delegates.
China: The UN was set up to prevent World War Three, and that’s worked so far. So any reform has to be very carefully examined. ‘Should it (reform) be reflective or effective?’ China’s position is that a veto should not be extended to Germany or Japan.
South Africa: A continent that holds 18% of the global population is not included. This shows ‘a lack of respect.’
France: The UN was set up for a world that no longer exists. It must be changed to reflect the current world.
India: We need ‘regional representation.’ This will ensure peace in the world.
The running trend seems to be that countries with veto power don’t want to extend the privileges to other countries. Asian and African countries stress the importance of being treated as equals, while the old powers (Russia, China, America etc…) worry that an increase in vetos will merely ‘increase the already existing bureaucracy’ making it harder to solve conflict.
Mexico argues that no more countries should be given the veto so that power is no longer put in the hands of the few.
- Mihai Rosca, The Economist
12:02 - Meaty Sandwich Abandoned in Hall of Bristol United Nations Conference
A meaty sandwich manufactured by British food purveyors Pret a Manger has been abandoned in the opening ceremony hall. This is a common sight within the United Kingdom, whose residents waste 9.5 million tonnes of food annually. It is a hallmark of the wasteful consumerist culture endemic to western nations: the United States, for example, disposes of 40% of their entire food supply.
- Peter Meiklem, Rodong Sinmun
A meaty sandwich manufactured by British food purveyors Pret a Manger has been abandoned in the opening ceremony hall. This is a common sight within the United Kingdom, whose residents waste 9.5 million tonnes of food annually. It is a hallmark of the wasteful consumerist culture endemic to western nations: the United States, for example, disposes of 40% of their entire food supply.
- Peter Meiklem, Rodong Sinmun
