Dear delegates, advisors, mentors, guests, and visitors,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the eighth edition of Gimnazija Bežigrad Model United Nations Conference, where I am honoured to serve as the Secretary-General and work alongside our secretariat, presidency, chairs, staff, and mentors to turn this conference into reality.  

Model United Nations is an ambitious initiative that encourages eager students to learn about and take a step towards careers in diplomacy and to participate in international discussions on global affairs and geopolitical issues. It is of utmost importance to continue hosting and organising Model UN conferences in order to foster creative, critical, and empathetic thinking, as well as global awareness, among younger generations.  

In light of 2027 being recognised as the Year of “Preventive Diplomacy,” we have adopted this principle as the overarching theme for the eighth edition of our conference. Accordingly, issues related to the prevention, mitigation, and limitation of armed and non‑armed conflicts will serve as a common thread across all committees and conference events. We would like to remind the delegates that preventing conflict is one of the original pillars of the United Nations’ founding mission. Guided by this principle, we have identified some of the most pressing global challenges and constructed six engaging committees to address them. Topics featured in the eighth edition of our conference span a broad spectrum of modern security concerns. These range from emerging cyber threats, such as cyberespionage and use of cryptocurrencies as means for illicit financial activities, to more traditional yet equally critical issues, including nuclear proliferation and prevention of humanitarian crisis.  

To prepare a truly rounded, cross-cultural experience, our conference will also provide the delegates with an opportunity to listen to diplomats and experts in the field, meet new people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and explore the city of Ljubljana, all while having fun. We hope to offer an unforgettable and invaluable experience to those joining us, and on behalf of our team, we hope to see you in January 2027 and welcome you to GimBMUN VIII!  

Sincerely,

Mia Đukić

Secretary-General