Greetings, my name is Santiago Gomez Montenegro and I have the opportunity, and privilege,  to be the Chair of the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) during this conference. It is a remarkable honor for me to embody a leadership role in PANAMUN XXV: a conference that allows young intellects to understand and debate about global issues. I am currently a junior at the International School of Panama and I have been part of this school for eleven years. Despite having lived for over half of my life in Panama, I am actually from Mexico City, Mexico. I enjoy playing sports, especially soccer and weightlifting, and am very passionate about music. My debating experience takes its roots in the eighth grade, and ever since, each conference has successfully allowed me to become better at public speaking and at understanding problems that have an international impact. I found that through participation, debating becomes a more memorable experience, and therefore hope that you all are passionate about your position and the resolutions being debated.  I encourage all delegates participating in the conference to be assertive, thoughtful, and respectful of others in order to have a conference that will guarantee individual growth. I am enthusiastic about meeting all participants, but even more excited to help guide and facilitate the debating experience.