Topic:
Country: Gabon
Delegate Name: Macie Dow
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Mitigating Negative Impacts on Host Cities
Gabon (Gabonese Republic)
Macie Dow, Forest Hills Northern High School
The effect of the Olympics concerning the economic disruption in developing countries and natural resources is obstructive and must be altered. The Olympics have been the cause of economic deficits in host countries for years, yielding negative effects on the population and environment. Commonly, the budgets put into place are often surpassed due to the obstacles that occur before the event takes place. Difficulties with infrastructure, lodging, and population hinder the construction of the necessary framework for the games and increase the total cost by a significant amount. Take for instance the 2008 Beijing Summer Games which exceeded $45 billion more than originally intended on the budget. Many countries are hesitant to volunteer to host the games primarily for the impact it has socially and economically. By impeding the lives of citizens to construct the infrastructure necessary, the country risks high homelessness and unemployment rates. Along with the fiscal deficit, the Olympics is now less of a presentation of unity, but rather an unappealing hindrance to a country’s development.
Past action by the UN has shown progress in the efforts to minimize these impediments. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, addresses the goals of the UN to create a more unified, developed, Olympics. The resolution speaks on peace and unity, as those are the International Olympics Committee’s leading principles (IOC) principles. Specifically, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), designed in the 2030 resolution, seek to establish social and economic growth throughout the globe. Unfortunately, these efforts appear to not include the host cities. While Gabon recognizes the importance of economic development throughout the world, they firmly believe that these measures are in vain if the host cities are negatively affected by the policies enacted.
The IOC holds the values of peace around the globe, and Gabon agrees with those ethics. Gabon acknowledges the need for equality and peace, but also the need for environmental protection. Gabon has been in support of environmental and economic protections through the introduction of the Emerging Gabon Strategic Plan (PSGE). Through the PSGE, Gabon is combating poverty and social inequalities, while promoting inclusive and diversified growth, and environmental stability. Through the SDGs goal, Gabon is actively contributing to the economic growth of its nation. With a total of 22.29% (approximately 5.3 million dollars) going to combating poverty and hunger, Gabon supports the well-being and economic growth of its nation regarding the Olympics and its effects.
While Gabon recognizes the goals of the UN to achieve unity and peace, Gabon also urges the revision of the IOC’s goals concerning SDGs and host countries. The SDGs prioritize the general public instead of specific host countries. The absence of a firm development program leaves host countries with unstable budgets and little to no support from other nations. Gabon is in favor of new development programs aimed to support host countries with the funds necessary to host the Olympics. Gabon requests the assistance of economically powerful countries to help take on responsibility for the games. Gabon also is in favor of the volunteer pool of countries being minimized to nations that are more fiscally able to organize the Olympics. Gabon believes that to maintain economic stability and preserve natural resources, volunteering countries should be limited to those who already have the infrastructure, and funds, readily available
