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TOPIC A - Human rights and democratic backsliding in Southeast Asia

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TOPIC B - Geopolitical disputes in the South China Sea

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The Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the regional organization of ten states in Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In late 2025 or 2026, the organization will grow to eleven once Timor-Leste is granted full membership. Founded in 1967 by the foreign ministers of the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia, the organization aims to foster economic and cultural development as well as promote peace and stability in the region through cooperation. Through its biannual meetings and consistent collaboration throughout the years, the intergovernmental organization has experienced recent success in their goal to integrate their members into the global economy; yet, the organization still experiences challenges due to political instability and regional conflicts. Delegates will collaborate with each other throughout the committee in pursuit of best interests for their state and the region as a whole.

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CHAIR: Bianca Del Campo

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Bianca is a junior in the Politics department focusing on American politics and pursuing a minor in Values and Public Life. After graduating from Princeton, she plans on attending law school and studying constitutional law or intellectual property law. On campus, she is a Residential College Advisor, writes for the Princeton Legal Journal, is a member of the Pre-Law Society, and sings for the Princeton Katzenjammers. As the daughter of Filipino immigrants, Bianca has personally been interested in learning about political relations between Southeast Asia and the United States and looks forward to delegates handling the topics of this committee.