This year, due to COVID restrictions, the Opening Ceremony was organized in a hybrid format — three committees observed the event from their meeting rooms. The delegates had the honor to receive welcoming addresses from H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Andrey Shushin, Acting President of the Far Eastern Federal University, Mr. Andrey Brovarets, Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Vladivostok, Mr. Aleksei Stanonis, MUNRFE Executive Director, Mr. Karim Atassi, Acting Head of the UNHCR Representation in Russia, Mr. Vitaly Savenkov, Humanitarian Affairs Adviser at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Delegation for the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Moldova, and Ms. Tatiana Akuneeva, the 20th Anniversary MUNRFE Annual Conference 2021 Secretary-General.

All of the speakers emphasized the significance of providing such a great opportunity for the participants to try come up with solutions acceptable to a majority of the delegates which inculcates skills of negotiation, conflict resolution, and cooperation. Moreover, they noted that the Annual Conference is good practice to develop leadership skills, research, writing, public speaking, and problem-solving skills.

Following the speeches, the Plenary Session, chaired by Ms. Anna Timokhina, adopted the committees’ agenda items and gave a start to the 20th Anniversary MUNRFE Annual Conference 2021 as a whole.

MUNRFE extends its heartfelt appreciation to the distinguished speakers and congratulates everyone on the successful start of the Conference.