Topic A: Sustainable Agricultural Trade and Development

Agriculture is an economic sector of primary importance in environment and development terms. For developing countries it encompasses a major proportion of their GDP. Therefore this committee shall seek to find ways to provide technical and financial assistance to sustainable development programs; advance agricultural research, increase public sector interest in sustainable agriculture and increase market access and exploration of new markets for value added agricultural products in the developed countries for producers in developing countries through removal of direct and indirect trade barriers such as high tariffs and subsidy policies. This would not only lead to enhanced food security and production through specialization but also a decline in potentially environmentally dangerous production methods employed by large farms in developed countries with high capital inputs. A balance between increased trade, specialization and diversification within economies would not only be challenging to perceive but also to achieve through diplomacy.

Topic B: Protection of Cultural Heritage

In its rich diversity, culture has intrinsic value for development as well as social cohesion and peace. Therefore our cultural heritage, as an expression of living culture and a meeting point of past and present, needs to be protected and preserved.

This committee needs to find ways on how to protect cultural heritage in Asia and Europe best to guarantee a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life to all human beings. Cultural diversity, world cultural heritage, underwater heritage, intangible heritage, emergency situations and normative actions are important aspects that will be dealt with in the Asia- Europe Meeting.