Motion to Adjourn: Saying Goodbye to THIMUN
Co-Written by Celia Overson and Mariya Dembytska
After four days of lobbying, drafting resolutions, and debating, THIMUN 2026 has come to a close. The closing ceremony was a full house as delegates filled the seats of the King Willem-Alexander Theatre. The room buzzed with excitement as the President of the General Assembly, Arel Ulukuş, called the house to order.
The ceremony kicked off with the registrar of the ICC, Raya Alami, presenting the verdicts of the cases discussed. In the case of ‘The Prosecutor Versus Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi’, the defendant was found not guilty. In the case of ‘The Prosecutor Versus Joseph Kony’, the defendant was found guilty.
The room’s attention was rapt as the executive committee came to make their closing remarks. Deputy Secretary General Kaydn Falk was the first to speak, and his address of unity earned him a great round of applause. Next, Deputy Secretary General Zahra Nassiri took the podium, sharing her insightful views on the importance of diversity. Following her was James Simanowitz, who emphasized that THIMUN teaches a vital, though fading, language of diplomacy. He asserted that by not giving awards, the THIMUN Foundation prioritizes action over mere words and speeches.
To recap the bright moments of this conference, the MUNITY team prepared a video featuring photos taken throughout the week. They captured delegates overcoming stage fright, collaboration, and numerous friendships. No single video can encapsulate the countless memories made, but it certainly reflects them.
After this, the Editors- in-Chief of the MUNITY press team, Cole Thompson and Somya Jain, were invited on stage and spoke about the power and significance of storytelling. “THIMUN is not just a conference. It is a collection of human stories, shared bravely and imperfectly, just as storytelling has always been,” stated Thompson. They explained that every moment and memory in the conference is a story waiting to be told and captured.
Finally, Secretary General Anoushka Tandon inspired the room with encouraging words about the importance of delegates’ discussions at THIMUN and urged everyone to continue addressing the issues presented.
As Arel Ulukuş reflected on past conferences, he noted that while the times may have changed, the essence of the people and topics remained the same. With that, the entire executive team united for a final strike of the gavel, officially declaring THIMUN 26 closed.
Following the powerful speeches, Student Ambassadors came through with their delegation flags, accompanied by a live band. They all gathered on stage, waving their flags simultaneously—a powerful symbol of unity. The colorful field of flags and lively music was a memorable way to conclude the 58th Annual Session of THIMUN.
