Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, January 1980

About the Committee

"The blood of the soldier is the ink with which empires write their names across the pages of history." — Rudyard Kipling

On December 24, 1979, Soviet forces crossed into Afghanistan under the pretext of fulfilling obligations outlined in the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation signed between the two countries. As the chilling winter winds swept across the Afghan terrain in January 1980, Afghanistan gradually turned into a crucible in which the fires of global ideology met the immutable spirit of its population, long accustomed to the scars left by foreign intervention. The mujahideen, serving as embodiments of fierce independence and tribal solidarity, took up arms. The spirit of nationalism, blended perfectly with religious fervor, managed to trigger and awaken deep-seated resentment towards foreign interference. The resistance, though fragmented, was characterised by a shared conviction: the future of the Afghans could not be written by the tanks and artillery of foreign forces.

The World watched, torn between contrasting narratives. The West saw aggression; the Soviet preached fraternity, but the Afghans caught in the crossfire could only mourn.

The West perceived the invasion as a blatant act of aggression. They viewed it as an attempt to expand Soviet influence in the heart of the Asian continent. As January 1980 slowly dawned upon a land buried in snow and smoke, contrasting dual narratives of the Soviet invasion emerged. The narrative from the Kremlin was one of revolutionary solidarity. This ideological struggle saw Afghan families mourn their dead in quiet grief, their tears falling upon the rubble they once called their homes.

Realising the gravity of the matter, members of the United Nations General Assembly have called for an Emergency Special Session on 11th January, 1980. As esteemed members of the United Nations General Assembly it is your duty to bring justice to Afghanistan where in the cold winds of winter, echoes of grief mingled with the scent of gunpowder.

Kovidh Lulla

Chairperson

Rian Hariani

Chairperson

Chairperson's Address

Dear delegates,

Welcome to the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the Soviet-Afghan Crisis. It is our privilege to host you in this committee at a time when the very base of global peace and sovereignty is being tested. This committee is convened under extraordinary circumstances where diplomacy is not just an option but a necessity. As the impact of the invasion reverberates throughout the world, the delegates are expected to be on their toes, with correct usage of international laws, as well as necessary actions for restabilizing peace in the region.

It is 10th January, The Soviet has stormed into Afghanistan on the pretext of "internationalist duty." What was framed as a "justified" intervention has now unfolded into a brutal occupation marked by airstrikes, killings, and a systemic assault on Afghan autonomy. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives and has displaced millions, causing instability across South Asia and the Middle East. The Cold War situation is more volatile than ever, as the power struggle between the superpowers has peaked to an all-time-high.

Delegates, you have before you the tools of international law, public opinion, sanctions, resolutions, and collective will. But beware: every action you take here will echo beyond these walls. A single mistake made by any one of you will cause destruction to nations, rebuild geopolitics, and impact millions.

Putting aside the theatrics, as your chairpersons, we can promise you that this committee is not going to be a quintessential semi-conventional committee; it is going to be a face paced committee with disruptive updates. (Spoiler: The committee can even change forms, or can it?)

Delegates, we expect more than rhetoric. We demand resolve. We urge you to draft powerful, binding resolutions, showcase your research using powerful speeches packed with research and well crafted paperwork. We look forward to being blown away (not literally).

Till June,
Kovidh Lulla and Rian Hariani,
Co-Chairpersons,
Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 1980,
unhga.xmun2025@gmail.com
X-MUN 2025