A recorded seminar from July 22, 2020 (the link can be accessed at the end of this post, should you choose to include it in your research) features a roundtable discussion of four Harvard Kennedy School scholars on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on developing countries, especially in Latin America, and what has caused such disproportionate devastation in certain regions, specifically delving into Latin America. One of the panelists, Jeffrey Frankel, who is a professor of capital formation and growth, describes some of the reasons why Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and many other Central and South American countries have been hit so hard by this global health emergency. Frankel touches on how the relative youth of these nations suggests the relative lack of experience dealing with pandemics, along with the especially high population density in urban centers, like Mexico City and Bogotá, where a lack of personal protective equipment combines with tightly packed populations to form hotspots for the spread of the coronavirus.
In addition an article, released by the International Monetary Fund in late August of 2020 discusses the future ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income, developing countries. In the article, the issue of funding for public health measures is called to attention, as well as the financial crises that developing countries face in light of slowed international trade and domestic economies. To examine the breadth of the COVID-19 crisis, the IMF suggests a combination of looking at the long-term effects on society and education as well as the health and economic risks of people living today. One point that is brought up in the article is that the role of international aid may be crucial as countries around the world deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As this post proposes, low-income developing countries may experience the most drastic effects of the economic and health issues brought about by COVID-19.
The goal of examining these sources is to stimulate the committee’s exploration into the role of developed and developing nations in the COVID-19 pandemic, or more specifically, whether or not and to what extent developed countries should assist in the recovery and economic stabilization of developing countries. One specific case that delegates are likely familiar with is the United States’ response to the coronavirus. Many scholars argue that had the U.S. responded and handled the pandemic more quickly and more effectively, more attention and resources could have been spent elsewhere in the world, particularly developing countries that don’t have abundant access to PPE, medical equipment, hospital space, etc. Regardless of this claim’s validity, there is most definitely a great deal of research and debate to be had over the role of developed nations in the post-COVID restrengthening of global trade and development in a way that takes into account the fragility and long-term recovery, stabilization, and growth of developing nations.
We wish you luck in your research and exploration of committee topics!
Sincerely,
Your Assistant Directors, Ben Hintzman and Bella Nesti
Articles:
The Economic and Social Council Blog 
As an LDC, Bhutan undoubtedly recognizes the adverse effects of underdevelopment and how it incites the critical lack of medical readiness to adequately prepare for such a dire crisis as the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only does it have a detrimental impact on the health and safety of the citizens in a developing state, but has near immutable economic ramifications that the underdeveloped nation is unable to handle on its own. It is therefore instrumental that developed states work alongside these disadvantaged nations instead of abandoning them as has been done in the past.
Time and again the international community has been taking LDCs out of the discussion for economic advancements. Yet, as a whole, they have been gaining more competitiveness in fast and slow growing markets than both developing and developed countries. It is for these reasons Bhutan has pushed resolutely for the strengthening of regional trade as opposed to increased international commerce. This would lead less developed countries to have more of a voice in their respective regions, preventing them from being drowned out by the overpowering desires of developed nations. As such, the world can shift the prevailing narrative, so each nation properly maintains an equitable opportunity to be heard.
The Delegation of Bhutan is eager to commence a committee in which all nations have a voice and a say in their future. With a multitude of innovative approaches and steps, the international community can take to help reshape trade across the globe. As such cooperation between the nations of this body is integral to the ultimate success of our solutions. Though the pandemic has recklessly caused dramatic repercussions, the outcome of this committee is assured to change the course of economies and lives across the globe.
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Empty streets have become the new normal during Covid- 19 pandemic. Millions of people have died, many businesses are closed, unemployment rates have increased, travel restrictions have been imposed, and social distancing has affected people’s psychological prosperity. As the world establishes strict lockdown and preventive practices, our economy has taken an unprecedented turn. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) believes we might witness a 2 trillion dollar fall in global income and a 220 billion dollar fall within developing countries. While the world is focused primarily on the impacts of the pandemic effects, specifically in developed countries, other nations will experience these consequences in addition to daily struggles for developing countries.
Migrants send home millions of dollars in the form of remittances that serve as a stimulator for local economic activities. Nowadays, these remittances have resulted in many households falling back under the poverty line, causing a major effect on health and education.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) stated in their April 2020 report, “Global growth, international trade, global value chains, and investment activities will suffer.” The global cost of value chains in developing countries is expected to fall approximately 50 billion dollars in its exports and affect foreign direct investments (FDI), which will lead to a lack of rivalry in homegrown input markets. Without the international community’s support, developing countries will continue to lose opportunities and face more complex economic collapse.
As a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Iceland has managed to take temporary exchange estimates created by the government to restrict exports and release vital medical trade supplies to benefit their trading partners around the globe. As Katrin Jakobsdottir, former Prime Minister of Iceland, once said; “It’s been extremely inspiring for all of us in Iceland to see how their belief in the team and its possible success despite the odds, has carried them this far.” This is a clear example that we must unite as a team and help our world rise from merely surviving to thrive.
Sources
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/news-centre/news/2020/COVID19_Crisis_in_developing_countries_threatens_devastate_economies.html.
https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=132_132637-tfn40fwe1w&title=Developing-countries-and-development-co-operation_What-is-at-stake
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