Head Chair: Diana Huynh Vice Chair: Ben Borghi Moderator: Grant Dettmann
Position papers will be due on February 5th, 2021. The position paper format, and all other important conference documents, can be found on our conference website, http://lhhsconference.weebly.com/. Email all position papers to our committee email:[email protected]. Feel free to contact us via email if you have any questions or concerns!
Hey everyone! My name is Diana Huynh and I look forward to being your head chair for this IAEA advanced committee. I am a senior at LHHS and have been a part of MUN for 4 years. While at school, you can find me playing soccer or lacrosse, performing in ComedySportz, or participating in several clubs such as NEGU, Eco Club, or Think Pink. Outside of school, I love spending my free time with friends wandering through Target, listening to music, watching anime, or thrifting. I can’t wait to see you all in committee!
Hello delegates! My name is Ben Borghi, and I will be your vice chair for this committee! I am currently a junior at Laguna Hills High School, and I am in my 3rd year of the MUN program. My favorite sport is basketball, and I am currently playing in the Laguna Hills basketball program as well. In my free time, I enjoy playing all types of video games, going on adventures with my friends, and relaxing and listening to music.
Hi delegates! My name is Grant Dettmann and I will be your moderator for the IAEA advanced committee. This is my second year of MUN and I am currently a sophomore at LHHS. Other than MUN, in school I am involved with soccer, track, ComedySportz, theater, CSF, and other clubs such as Red cross. In addition, outside of school I love to play games, skateboard, and hang out with friends.
Topic: Nuclear Proliferation
Background Ever since the first atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear weapons have been a huge factor in geopolitics. The production of nuclear weapons has led to the creation and preservation of certain regional powers. Many of these regional powers, without possession of such weapons, would lose much of the influence and sovereignty they currently enjoy. If they were to give up their nuclear weapons, it would come at the possibility of a large loss of power and independence (sovereignty). However, while sovereignty is almost necessary for the survival of a nation-state, possessing nuclear weapons comes at a large cost. Often, stability in the region is negatively impacted, and many times even the well-being of the world stage is affected. A large deterrent for denuclearization is the fear of having less nuclear capability than neighboring nations or rival states. Additionally, distrust of other governments to disarm their nukes is another source of possible/existing nuclear deals failing. One example of a failed nuclear deal is the Iran nuclear deal. These issues cause even the most pro-nuclear non-proliferation governments to fail at making and preserving nuclear disarmament deals. Denuclearization deals require a great deal of compromise and motivation in order to succeed. Although due to the fear of losing power and authority, many nations like Iran struggle to gain the necessary motivation. Therefore, causing a rapid increase in nuclear proliferation. In addition, nuclear proliferation has many vital impacts on a nation from an economic standpoint. Many nations struggle economically from nuclear programs for the cost to maintain and stabilize nuclear weapons can be unbearable for various countries that lack wealth. This puts many rising nations at an increasing disadvantage for they can not afford nuclear programs and are out weaponized by wealthy developed countries. One example of a cost of nuclear proliferation is the U.S.’s yearly average of 98 billion dollars spent on nuclear weapons. Thus, showing that poor countries can not maintain such power for they are not economically prepared to have these nuclear programs. Additionally, these wealthier countries can rule over rising nations that lack nuclear power through fear of a nuclear attack. Therefore, inducing the further spread of nuclear proliferation.
UN Involvement Immediately following the catastrophic effects of the use of nuclear weapons as seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the UN has taken many steps towards protecting against the potential dangers of another such event, with the final goal of eventually eliminating the deadly practice. The UN General Assembly brought together their first resolution in 1946 that focused on atomic disarmament, due to the creation of the UN and the Second World War happening alongside each other. Birthed from their resolution was the UN Atomic Energy Commission that dealt with nations who were discovered with any signs of atomic energy. By eradicating nuclear activity from the nations, the UN worked towards the betterment of the livelihoods of the world. The most important involvement the UN has acted upon is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Asserting the basis of all other nuclear treaties, this goes into detail describing certain preventatives for the spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear technology as well as pursuing the goal of nonproliferation. There are several committees involved with nuclear nonproliferation including the Office for Disarmament Affairs and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Several treaties between the United States of America and the Russian Federation, as well as various other initiatives have been created, have been extended to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, and the Wassenaar Arrangement. The UN is involved by supporting efforts towards eliminating the use of nuclear technology throughout the world as a result of the events that occurred in 1945. Some of these efforts include Nuclear-Weapon Free Zones, or (NWFZ). The UN has established these NFWZ’s to attempt to strengthen global nuclear non-proliferation and to consolidate the global efforts to ensure peace and security. The UN has been striving to eliminate these weapons of mass destruction since it was founded in 1945, and continues to do so to this day.
Country Blocs African Group: The countries of Africa are usually in turmoil and impoverished positions, leading to little or no thought of a nuclear program. They stress the importance of proliferation as they fear the potential of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. The African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (ANWFZ) Treaty has been created to prevent the possibility of nuclear threats, however South Sudan has not signed the Treaty of Non-Proliferation.
Asia Pacific Group: China holds a large amount of power, especially within the Security Council, where their abundance and prowess in nuclear power prevails. It is generally believed that India and Pakistan possess nuclear potential as well. Many countries have varying political or religious beliefs which often lead to conflicts or rivalries. North Korea utilizes the threat of a nuclear attack to gain the political high ground. As a whole they have developed nuclear transparency measures for each nation to follow. India and Pakistan have not signed the Treaty of Non-Proliferation.
Eastern European Group: This bloc contains Russia on the Security Council with heavy experience with nuclear weapons. In accordance to most other nations, these countries agree to nonproliferation worldwide to create a safer world.
Latin American And Caribbean Group: Many countries in this region have experienced lots of political turmoil as well as poor living conditions. None of these countries have developed nuclear weapon programs. They have all signed the nonproliferation treaty and seek global non proliferation. Western European and Other Groups: This bloc contains the most countries that are confirmed to have nuclear weapons as well as having seats on the Security Council: the US, France, and the UK. They seek nonproliferation worldwide but refuse to fully get rid of their programs. Middle Eastern countries like Israel are generally believed to have nuclear weapons for the purpose of a deterrent but their rivals are angered by this. Israel has not signed the Treaty of Non-Proliferation.
Questions to Consider
What role do nuclear weapons play in global politics?
How might international relations be strained/resolved as a result of nuclear non-proliferation?
How can nuclear weapons or the threat of them develop an economy? (Think North Korean appeasement treaties)
What can incentivize a nation into cooperating with international nuclear non-proliferation?
For what reasons are countries afraid of nuclear weapons?
Sources:
“Central and Eastern European Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone .” Federation of American Scientists :: Central and Eastern European Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/ArmsControl_NEW/nonproliferation/NFZ/NP-NFZ-CE.html.
“Challenges and Solutions for Nonproliferation.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 8 Apr. 2018, thebulletin.org/roundtable_entry/challenges-and-solutions-for-nonproliferation/.
“Fact Sheets & Briefs.” Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance | Arms Control Association, www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat.
Touran, Nick. “Nuclear Weapons and Non-Proliferation.” What Is Nuclear?, whatisnuclear.com/non-proliferation.html.
“Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) – UNODA.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/npt/.