Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN)

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 160 Single Delegations

Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN) addresses issues related to global economic growth and development, including poverty reduction, sustainable development, and food security. Topic A will address the regulation of the oil trade in global markets; delegates will consider nations’ strategic interests in the global oil trade and the challenges that persist, such as unequal access, chokepoints, and environmental consequences. Topic B will examine the role of debt-trap diplomacy in bilateral relations, whether manifested through tied aid programs or developmental infrastructure initiatives. Delegates will consider the extent to which partnerships between states with differing developmental and socio-economic backgrounds are beneficial.

Chairs: Kenneth giam & carlos gerke

TOPICS

Topic A: Regulating the Trade of Oil in Global Markets

Topic B: Examining the Role of Debt-Trap Diplomacy in Bilateral Relations

about the chairs

Kenneth Giam is an International Economics major at Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, also pursuing certificates in International Business Diplomacy and Diplomatic Studies. He is from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Home is hence a 28-hour journey away; to combat his homesickness, Kenneth bikes around DC in search of Southeast Asian social & professional events. He travels with Georgetown’s Model UN team (soon retiring!), and is currently the Director General of NCSC LIV, Georgetown’s collegiate Model UN conference. 

Outside of Model UN, Kenneth directs research at the Washington Forum on India and consults for small businesses in the DMV area. In his free time, you may find him at Satay Club, his favorite restaurant in DC, or the Moongate Cafe at the National Museum of Asian Art. 

Kenneth is honored to return to NAIMUN as Chair of ECOFIN, and can’t wait to welcome you to Washington, D.C!

Carlos Gerke is an International Politics major at Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, Class of 2028. He is from La Paz, Bolivia, the world’s highest capital, and grew up moving between American and French educational systems. To stay connected to home, Carlos can often be found explaining Bolivian politics over coffee, or quietly preparing his inevitable 2050 presidential campaign.

Carlos began Model UN in high school and quickly became a core member of the Lycée Franco-Bolivien’s travel team and Secretariat, competing across Latin America. At Georgetown, he has staffed NAIMUN LXIII, served on NCSC LIII secretariat, and competed with the university’s Model UN travel team.

Outside of Model UN, Carlos works as a risk analyst at GUASFCU, the largest student-run financial institution in the United States. He is also a member of Georgetown’s Philodemic Society and the Blue & Gray tour guide society, where he enjoys debating democracy, international politics, and why Georgetown is obviously the only logical college choice.

Carlos is honored to serve as Chair of ECOFIN at NAIMUN and can’t wait to welcome you to Washington, D.C.!