Tunisia
Republic of Tunisia
Population
12.4M
GDP
$46.0B
Capital
Tunis
Government
Unitary presidential republic
At a Glance
Human Development
0.7
HDI (0-1)
Democracy
5.5
EIU (0-10)
Press Freedom
—
RSF score
Corruption
—
TI CPI (0-100)
Innovation
—
GII score
Happiness
—
WHR (0-10)
Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring in 2010-2011 and was initially seen as the sole democratic success story in the region. However, President Kais Saied's consolidation of power since 2021 has reversed many democratic gains, dissolving parliament and rewriting the constitution.
Tunisia occupies a strategic location in the central Mediterranean and serves as a key transit and departure point for migration to Europe. This gives it significant leverage in negotiations with the EU. Tunisia also hosts the African Development Bank headquarters and has historically been a moderate, consensus-building voice in Arab and African diplomacy.
Want deeper analysis on Tunisia?
Ask Atlas anything about TunisiaMUN Delegate Guide
As Tunisia, present yourself as a pragmatic North African voice that bridges the Arab and African worlds. Historically emphasize your democratic transition (even as domestic politics have shifted), and advocate for democratic governance and human rights in UN forums.
Align with the Arab Group on Palestine and regional issues. Work with Mediterranean partners on migration, climate adaptation, and economic development. On migration, argue that root causes -- poverty, instability, climate change -- must be addressed rather than relying on border enforcement alone. Tunisia can play a useful consensus-building role between blocs.
Foreign Policy
Tunisia traditionally pursues a pragmatic, non-aligned foreign policy, maintaining good relations with both Western and Arab states. The EU and France remain its most important economic partners. Tunisia has leveraged its position on irregular migration to negotiate financial support packages from Europe.
Tunis supports Palestinian statehood and maintains a consistent pro-Palestine position. It favors multilateral approaches to regional security and has contributed to UN peacekeeping operations.