First Jordanian-Palestinian model UN opens in Amman
The Amman Al-Quds Model United Nations Conference (AQMUN 2025) opened today, Thursday, in Amman with unprecedented participation from 20 leading schools across Jordan and Palestine and more than 300 promising young leaders. This year’s conference is held under the theme “Empowering the Excluded.”
Concluding on Saturday, the three-day conference is a joint Jordanian–Palestinian student-led initiative that aims to equip participants with skills in dialogue, diplomacy, and decision-making, while raising awareness of regional and global issues. Special focus is placed on political and economic inclusion and the rights of marginalized communities.
In his keynote address, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh emphasized that any discussion of exclusion and marginalization must confront the painful reality in Gaza. He said, “The tragedy is not only about the lives lost, but also about the future stolen. For two consecutive years, children have been deprived of education, the most basic pathway to dignity and hope. Empowering the marginalized must begin with restoring their right to learn and to dream.”
Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, added, “Time and again across the region, I have seen young people striving for a future built on dignity, rights, and peace. Model UN offers them the space to practice real diplomacy — to listen, compromise, and shape solutions. Given that space, they will demonstrate remarkable leadership, and the future of our world depends on their informed voices and commitment to peace.”
AQMUN Secretary-General Omar Nasser Al-Khaldi said, “The Amman Al-Quds Model United Nations Conference is a pioneering educational experience and a student partnership that allows us, as Arab youth, to make our voices heard internationally and within UN institutions. We believe that empowering young people with knowledge and skills creates a generation of leaders capable of driving positive change and building a more just and inclusive future.”
Throughout its sessions, the conference simulates the work of key UN bodies such as the Security Council, the General Assembly, the International Court of Justice, and UNRWA. Students engage in debates on pressing global issues, strengthening their ability to understand international challenges and present innovative solutions for a fairer world.
Launched as a student-led initiative, AQMUN 2025 was founded by students from 14 schools in Jordan and 6 schools in Palestine, including schools in Jerusalem, Nablus, and Ramallah.
