The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL) is the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. It was originally formed in 1993 as a merger between two distinct committees: the Decolonization Committee (formerly the Fourth Committee) and the Special Political Committee. While decolonization remains its primary focus, its mandates have expanded to focus on tackling a wide range of political challenges globally, specifically issues related to decolonization, peacekeeping operations, outer space governance, and the management of global crises outside of the purview of the Security Council.

Beyond decolonization and all those mentioned previously, SPECPOL is also involved in playing a critical role in resolving territorial disputes, overseeing peacekeeping efforts, and regulating international resource extraction. It addresses the legal and ethical challenges of sovereignty over unclaimed or disputed territories, the environmental impact of industrial activities, and the geopolitical consequences of resource competition. As global demand for minerals and raw materials increases, especially in today’s political climate, which features a myriad of geopolitical and environmental concerns, SPECPOL continues to play a vital role in cultivating international cooperation.

This committee is well suited for delegates of all experience levels, following the traditional and standard Rules of Procedure at a measured and slower committee pace. Though position papers are not required, they are strongly encouraged, as they not only provide valuable experience, but they will also help us determine awards, as position papers are mandatory for award consideration.