DUNMUN 2025 ends, encouraging youth leadership in global affairs

The 12th edition of the Dhaka University National Model United Nations (DUNMUN) 2025 concluded on Sunday, June 1st, at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, marking the end of four days of spirited debate, critical thinking, and youth-led diplomacy.

Held under the timely theme "The Rule of Law Amidst Global Paradigm Shifts: Ensuring Justice, Equality and Accountability," this year's conference brought together over 500 delegates from across the country and beyond. Participants engaged in 11 dynamic UN committees, each designed to simulate real-world challenges—from conflict resolution and disarmament to climate justice, global health, and human rights.

The DUNMUN 2025 Closing Ceremony was honoured by the presence of several distinguished guests. Lieutenant General (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Integrity Development, delivered the keynote address. Reflecting on decades of experience, he noted, "The rule of law is not simply a set of legal norms—it is a foundation of peace, stability, and trust in governance."

Special Guests included Md Asaduzzaman, Honourable Attorney General for Bangladesh, and Miguel Mateos Muñoz, speaking on behalf of UNICEF Representative Rana Flowers. In his remarks, Miguel underscored, "This is what we mean when we say paradigm shifts. And in the middle of all this, the idea of the rule of law—fairness, equality before the law, accountability for those in power—becomes even more essential."

Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General of BIISS, also addressed the gathering, reminding the youth: "At BIISS, we believe that knowledge is strategic power. But power without purpose is ineffective, and purpose without preparedness is incomplete. Through events like DUNMUN, that gap moves closer to being bridged."

From Transparency International Bangladesh, Dr Iftekharuzzaman brought the discussion home with conviction: "We had spoken out when public procurement lacked transparency, when relief aid was misused, when vaccine distribution was opaque, when whistleblowers were punished instead of protected."

The ceremony also welcomed Mohammad Mamun Mia, Former President of DUMUNA, as an Alumni Guest. Speaking from personal experience, he shared, "DUNMUN taught me that the rule of law isn't a distant doctrine—it's personal. It's about whether a mother gets justice for her missing son. Whether a child has access to clean water. Whether truth can still matter in a time of misinformation."

Throughout the conference, delegates tackled real-world problems with creativity and resolve, reflecting the urgency of upholding the rule of law in a world undergoing rapid political, technological, and environmental change. Nuanced resolutions, passionate diplomacy, and a strong sense of collective purpose marked the committee sessions.

As the gavel fell on DUNMUN 2025, the message was clear: global transformation must be grounded in equitable systems, accountable leadership, and an unyielding commitment to justice. The youth who gathered here are not only future policymakers—they are already advocates for a fairer world. DUNMUN 2025 ends here—but its call for justice, equity, and accountability marches on through its delegates.