Pacific Island Forum (PIF)

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 55 double DELEGATIONS

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is the leading political and economic organization for policy discussion and development in Oceania. Its members include all Pacific nations and territories, as well as partner countries and observer organizations that support the region’s ongoing growth and development. 

Topic A will evaluate the economic potential and environmental consequences of deep-sea mining. Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are increasingly confronted with the trade-off between the economic opportunities presented by deep-sea mining and the harmful environmental impacts.  The extraction of critical minerals such as cobalt and nickel, essential for technologies like electric car batteries and solar panels, presents significant revenue and development for these states. At the same time, deep-sea mining poses potentially severe risks to marine ecosystems that are central to both environmental sustainability and the local livelihoods of PICs. Delegates will tackle the question of whether PICs should position themselves as key suppliers of the green-energy transformation or prioritize long-term preservation of their marine ecosystems. Topic B will see delegates debate the balance between foreign investment and cultural preservation in the Pacific Islands. As economic development becomes an increasingly urgent priority for Pacific Island Countries (PICs), particularly in the face of intensifying climate change impacts, the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) has grown in supporting infrastructure, tourism, and overall economic growth. However, the expansion of tourism-driven commercialization raises significant concerns about cultural dilution, environmental strain, and the erosion of indigenous practices and land rights. Delegates must consider how to promote responsible investment in light of these concerns.

Chairs: kate satterfield & michael murray

TOPICS

Topic A: Evaluating the Economic Potential and Environmental Consequences of Deep Sea Mining

Topic B: Balancing Foreign Investment and Cultural Preservation in the Pacific Islands

Kate Satterfield is a member of the Walsh School of Foreign Service’s class of 2027 studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs and minoring in Spanish. She is from Orlando, Florida, and before you ask, yes! She has been to Disney. Outside of MUN, Kate is enjoying her last year on the Hilltop by spending time with her friends and keeping an eye on her law school applications. Kate also served as the Director of Programming for NCSC LII, the Executive Director for NCSC LIII, a Chair for COP30 at NAIMUN LXII, and a Chair for the Arctic Council at NAIMUN LXIII. When not reading or stressing about law school, Kate spends her free time cooking new and interesting recipes, pretending to like going to the gym, exploring DC, and spending time outdoors. She is so excited to welcome all of you to DC for NAIMUN LXIV!

Michael Murray is a member of the Class of 2027 in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, studying International Politics with a concentration in Security Studies and a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies. He previously served as the Chief Communications Officer of GIRA, Inc., the nonprofit organization that supports NAIMUN. Outside of MUN, he is the President of the Alexander Hamilton Society, a pre-professional organization for foreign affairs and national security. He is also a member of the Eating Society and loves trying new restaurants and seeing new parts of D.C. Michael is very excited to be your Chair for NAIMUN LXIV!