Philadelphia Model United Nations

Philadelphia Model United Nations is our second conference of the Model UN season. This program of the Institute for Domestic & International Affairs, Inc., started empowering students in 2007 when we chose to hold a conference outside of New Jersey. PhilMUN has grown dramatically in size since the first year, bringing many students together to discuss and address global issues.

PhilMUN is characterized by its in-depth topic briefs, well-trained staff, and small committee sizes. Backed by IDIA, all PhilMUN staffers are Rutgers undergraduate students who complete a year-long training program before running the conference. Attend to learn why PhilMUN is one of the best conferences for your delegates, novice and veteran alike.

Browse the committees available at this year’s PhilMUN conference, and start the registration process.

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Hello, and welcome to Philadelphia Model United Nations 2026! The conference will be held from February 19-22, 2026, at the Marriott Old City Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am excited to share PhilMUN’s regional focus, the Asia-Pacific, as well as its theme, “The Dual Nature of Progress.”

Over the past century, the Asia-Pacific has seen exponential growth. Developments such as the widespread independence of the region, the Green Revolution, and economic liberalization have transformed the landscape of the Asia-Pacific. Today, countries such as China and India have become global actors, while others, such as South Korea and Japan, consistently rank as some of the most developed countries in the world. Meanwhile, countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam are well on their way to becoming fully industrialized, paving a clear path ahead.

However, this same progress has brought adverse consequences. Inequality remains high, with disparities between urban and rural environments higher than ever. Additionally, the rapid industrialization of the region has made it one of the most polluted regions on the planet, with disastrous implications for plant, animal, and human life. Lastly, the notion of the nation-state has led to human rights abuses, with many individual cultures still under threat today. Thus, this presents the following questions: How can the Asia-Pacific achieve sustainable progress? How can the United Nations help the Asia-Pacific navigate the challenges of the Information Age?

Given the multicultural nature of the region, how can the international community protect cultural significance while still promoting diplomatic values?

Over the course of the conference, delegates will be challenged to balance their country’s interests, engage in diplomacy, and explore robust solutions to the Asia-Pacific’s most pressing issues. As staffers, we are committed to creating an environment in which delegates will not only address the topics at hand but also reflect on the relationship between progress and sustainability in their own communities. We aim to provide an impactful, educational, and engaging experience for all those in attendance.

Please feel free to reach out to us at info@idia.net with any questions.

We hope to see you there soon!

Sincerely,
Rohan Patel
Secretary-General
Philadelphia Model United Nations 2026