Specialized
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
A specialized committee on NATO's collective defense, deterrence, and security across the Euro-Atlantic region.
About this committee
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization brings together allied states to address collective defense, deterrence, and security across the Euro-Atlantic region.
In this specialized committee, delegates will represent NATO members as they weigh national priorities against the need for consensus. The committee will confront two challenges that test the Alliance's military responsibilities, political unity, humanitarian commitments, and relationships with neighboring states.
Topics
Topic A: The Future of European Security: NATO's Role in the Russia-Ukraine War
Topic A will examine how NATO should shape European security amid Russia's continuing war against Ukraine. Delegates will debate military and non-military support for Ukraine, deterrence along NATO's eastern flank, defense spending, burden sharing, escalation risks, long-term security guarantees, and the future relationship between Ukraine and the Alliance. Every proposal must account for NATO's consensus-based decision-making and the differing strategic priorities of its members.
Topic B: Addressing the Migrant Crisis in the Aegean Sea
Topic B will address migration across the Aegean Sea and the difficult balance between border security, maritime safety, humanitarian protection, and regional cooperation. Delegates will consider search-and-rescue coordination, asylum responsibilities, alleged pushbacks, human smuggling, cooperation between Greece and Türkiye, and the division of responsibilities among NATO, the European Union, and humanitarian organizations. The committee must determine where NATO's security role begins and ends.
Background guides coming soon.
About the Chairs
David Gonzalez
Chair
Hello, delegates! I am a junior at American Heritage and an Under-Secretary-General for AHPMUN 2026. I am excited to serve as a chair for NATO and to watch delegates engage in thoughtful debate.
I joined Model UN last year, and it quickly became one of my favorite activities. MUN has taught me that conferences are about more than awards. They also offer opportunities to meet people, build friendships, and develop new perspectives.
NATO will challenge delegates to engage with geopolitics, diplomacy, public speaking, and leadership. Outside of Model UN, I compete in Moot Court and hope to become a lawyer. I am also passionate about architecture and hope to study it at the University of Miami. In my free time, I enjoy pickleball, fishing, and hockey. Feel free to ask for my Stanley Cup predictions.
I look forward to the ideas, speeches, and diplomacy you bring to committee. Please reach out to any of the chairs with questions. Good luck!
Lucas Gavrilescu
Chair
Hello, delegates! I am a junior at American Heritage and an Under-Secretary-General for AHPMUN 2026. I am excited to chair the NATO Specialized Committee.
I have competed with the Model UN team for about a year and a half, and it has become one of my favorite activities on campus. Regardless of your previous experience, I hope to help make NATO engaging and welcoming.
Outside of MUN, I am active in HOSA and the Pre-Med Society. I hope to become a physician and eventually work in hospital management. I also enjoy playing piano.
I look forward to working with you at AHPMUN. Please reach out with any questions.
Aryav Thakur
Co-Chair
Hello, delegates! I am excited to co-chair the NATO Specialized Committee at AHPMUN. Model UN has become one of my favorite parts of American Heritage because of the people I have met and the experiences I have gained through the team.
Whether this is your first conference or you have competed before, I hope to make NATO exciting and welcoming. Outside of Model UN, I participate in HOSA and debate, and I am interested in medicine and scientific research.
In my free time, I enjoy playing pickleball, trying new restaurants, watching Family Guy, and rewatching Minions and The Croods. I look forward to meeting you at AHPMUN. Please reach out with any questions.