Topic: 2025 – Situation in Myanmar
Country: Ireland
Delegate Name: Adam Bonde
The military coup on February 1st, 2021, attempted to overthrow the government of Myanmar’s centralized leadership and formed a shadow National Unity Government. Moving closer to current times (2024-2025), it was reported that Junta’s territorial control drastically increased, leaving Myanmar’s government to control numbers nearing only 20-21% of their country (only by the military). This is a very important detail to understand the Civil War climate that is arising in Myanmar as it is. On March 28th, 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck numerous parts of Myanmar, which compounded a preceding need for humanitarian aid. However, aid sent through the UN was marked as being impeded or diverted by the Junta in contested areas. This looming threat of a Civil War posed a significant risk of foreign involvement and influence economically and militarily, notably ties to China, and concerns about proxy escalation and private military actors.
The Delegation of Ireland condoms this coup in Myanmar; we support the restoration of democratic governance, and prioritize protection of civilians and humanitarian access. Though Ireland still recognizes the complex, multi-actor nature of the crisis, we believe any proper solution must reconcile democratic transition with ethnic political demands and security guarantees. The delegation of Ireland believes in the support for accountability and targeted sanctions, which includes the supplementing of a “package of measures, including sanctions… that target the perpetrators of the coup.” Many of our officials emphasize the need for these sanctions to be appropriate: aiming at military leaders and not penalizing vulnerable civilians. Ireland hopes to house the humanitarian aid that its government provides. The government of Ireland proves its willingness to support by the records of a commitment of €6 million in emergency aid to Myanmar.
The delegation of Ireland proposes 2 potential solutions. The first being the prevention of escalation and Foreign proxy conflict, this would help Myanmar avoid becoming a battleground for great power competition. Though it wouldn’t be possible without UN-led coordination to discourage foreign military support to any side, stricter enforcement of arms embargoes and illicit trade sanctions, and confidence-building diplomacy between regional actors. The delegation of Ireland strongly emphasizes that foreign interference should not undermine Myanmar’s sovereignty, democratic transition, or humanitarian needs. The second potential solution that Ireland believes will aid the situation in Myanmar is securing humanitarian access. The delegation of Ireland proposes the expansion of cross-border humanitarian corridors through Thailand, India, and Bangladesh, and supporting UN Security Council measures demanding unimpeded humanitarian access, and enhanced protection for humanitarian workers, and sanctions on actors who impede aid, and increased funding for UN agencies and NGOs providing food, water, healthcare, and shelter. The delegation of Ireland believes that humanitarian relief must be insulated from political and military obstruction, especially in earthquake-affected regions.
Bibliography
Voice of America. “Myanmar’s Rebels Closing in around Junta into Fifth Year of Civil War.” Voice of America, 2025.
United Nations Office at Geneva. “Myanmar Human Rights Crisis Deepens as Aid Collapses, Attacks Intensify.” UN Geneva, 2025.
CNBC. “China’s Rare Earth Dominance: Myanmar Plays a Critical Role.” CNBC, 24 June 2025.
Inter Press Service News. “Regime Obstructs Aid But Finally Declares Ceasefire in Quake-Hit Myanmar.” IPS News, 2025.
