Dear Advocates and Judges,
Welcome to this year’s BERMUN 2026 International Court of Justice!
At the heart of this year’s theme, “Resilient & Sustainable Development to Combat Climate Inequality,” is the urgent need to ensure that progress for one nation does not come at the ecological expense of another. Climate change and the resulting environmental crises are among our most pressing challenges. This urgency comes from the fact that its impacts are already rapidly escalating. Each year, global warming fuels a rise in devastating events that destroy essential infrastructure and force many from their homes.
In the context of the conference theme, the ICJ is examining the Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros Project dispute between Hungary and Slovakia. Originally a joint treaty to dam the Danube River, the project stalled when Hungary halted operations in 1989, citing urgent "environmental necessity" due to fears of groundwater loss, threats to Budapest’s water supply, and general ecological decay. In response, Slovakia unilaterally launched "Variant C" to divert the river and reclaim its share of hydroelectric power. The case of Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros established sustainable development within the international legal framework, making it clear that nations must harmonize economic growth with environmental efforts. This case serves as a benchmark for climate inequality, demonstrating how infrastructure along shared waterways can create an uneven distribution of environmental hazards between stakeholders.
On a more personal note, I am 16 years old and attend the John F. Kennedy School as a 12th grader in Berlin. Outside of school and MUN, I enjoy dancing, surfing, and playing the piano. I have been participating in MUN for over 3 years now and have been in several different committees. My experience as a witness and an advocate in the ICC and ICJ is what sparked my interest in continuing to participate in the courts as assistant president.
I look forward to meeting all of you in November!
Sincerely,
Giselle Bullion
