United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
Secretary
Jonathan Shih
Fellow delegates, welcome to TAIMUN XXIII! I’m Jonathan Shih, a sophomore at Pacific American School in Hsinchu. It is an honor to serve this year as your president of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). TAIMUN will be my 14th conference and 5th time chairing. For me, MUN is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities, combining the thrill of debate, the challenge of problem-solving, and the joy of representing diverse perspectives on a global stage. My journey into MUN began with a simple nudge from a friend. What started as a casual suggestion has blossomed into a passion that has profoundly enriched my academic and personal life. After attending my first MUN conference in 7th grade, I slowly discovered that MUN has perfected my public speaking and negotiation skills and deepened my understanding of international relations and the complexities of world politics.
Whether you are an experienced delegate or a first-timer, I strongly encourage everyone to be active and bold in approaching the podium. I also recommend that experienced delegates help out first-timers to have a very smooth and enjoyable debate.
Here are some fun facts about myself. Besides MUN, I also enjoy watching baseball, F1, and planespotting. Lastly, I hope this year’s TAIMUN will be memorable to all, and hopefully, this conference will motivate you to enjoy MUN! Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns!
Chair
Cherry Yang
Greetings, delegates! My name is Cherry Yang, a senior at Hsinchu County American School. It is my utmost honor to serve as your deputy chair in the United Nations Environment Programme. TAIMUN XXIII will be my seventh conference and my first time serving as a chair.
I joined MUN three years ago, not knowing much about it at first. I had no idea how debates worked or how to draft resolutions, and I remember being so nervous about speaking in front of so many people. Over time, as I attended more conferences, I started to enjoy it. Not only could I engage with pressing global issues, but I could also build lasting friendships with delegates from various schools. MUN also gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and express my ideas with clarity and conviction.
I understand how daunting it can feel to speak up, especially for first-time delegates. I have been there before, and I know it takes courage to raise your placard and share your thoughts. However, I want to assure you that this is a supportive space where every idea is valued, and every voice matters.
Aside from MUN, I enjoy watching Netflix and trying different foods. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. My email is 251023@hcas.com.tw and my Instagram is _cherryyang__. Can’t wait to meet all of you in March!
