The University of New Orleans Model United Nations team earned an honorable mention award, placing it among the top third of the more than 170 participating teams, at this month’s 2025 National Model UN Conference in New York City. The 19 students who made up UNO’s delegation represented the Republic of Austria, a nation with longstanding ties to the University through Center Austria and the UNO-Innsbruck International Summer School.

The student diplomats engaged in high-level debates and negotiations on global issues such as water pollution, artificial intelligence and international security. Led by president A’ishah Abdalah and vice president Daniel Abadie, the students applied skills from their international studies coursework, particularly in public speaking and collaborative writing, across various simulated UN committees.

The weeklong conference was packed with activities, beginning with early morning sessions and ending with late-night team debriefings. Students also took part in a range of enriching events, including a diplomatic briefing at the Austrian UN Mission and a networking reception hosted by the UNO Foundation and UNO Alumni Association at a Grand Central Station restaurant. The experience concluded with closing ceremonies at the United Nations General Assembly Hall.

In addition to the delegation’s honorable mention award, students Mahdin Mohammad and Russell Decker earned a position paper award for their contributions in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees committee, highlighting UNO’s academic strength and high-performing students on a global stage.

The conference, one of the largest of its kind in the world, welcomed over 2,500 participants, with more than 60% of attendees coming from institutions outside the United States.