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FHMUN2017
March 11th, 2017
Alice Li
Secretary-General
Kevin Nan
Director General
Jerry Jiao
Chief of Staff
Alexander McGuigan
USG of Logistics
Julian Lam
USG of Committees
Kevin Zuo
USG of Committees
Saad Yasin
USG of Delegate Affairs
Edward Luo
USG of Media
Brandon Zhou
USG of Marketing
Rosetta Paik
USG of Finance
Dear Delegates,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Disarmament and
International Security Committee (DISEC) at FHMUN 2017.
My name is Semeion Wong and I will be serving as your
director for the conference. I am currently a grade 11 student
at Robert A. McMath Secondary School in Richmond. This
will be my second year in MUN and going to conferences and
meeting people who are all equally as passionate about debate
and international relations as I am has really changed my high
school experience. Outside of MUN, I am a youth
parliamentarian, flute player, and a Reach for the Top player,
but MUN always has a special place in my heart.
Serving alongside myself will be your assistant director,
Pranav Agnihotri. Together, we hope that FHMUN will be an
amazing experience for all, whether you are a first time
delegate or an experienced MUN veteran.
I hope that through debating this topic, you will get a feel for
the mandate of the Disarmament and International Security
Committee and come to a realistic and thought out solution to
the topic at hand.
Sincerely,
Semeion Wong
Director
Disarmament and International Security Committee
Fraser Heights Model United Nations 2017
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DISEC Backgrounder
Committee Overview
The Disarmament and International Security Committee is the first committee out of six in
the UN general assembly. These committees are all concerned with maintaining and
establishing world peace, with DISEC in charge of issues concerning disarmament and the
like. Under its charter, all member states of the United Nations is automatically a member of
DISEC and has an equal vote. While DISEC is tasked with the job of maintaining world
peace and the nonproliferation of weapons, it is not allowed to impose sanctions, pass binding
resolutions, or authorize interventions that involve the use of arms.1
Topic Introduction
Nuclear weapons are one of three types of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) alongside
chemical and biological weapons. They are the most destructive technology known to
mankind with a single bomb being able to destroy entire cities, potentially killing millions at
a time. Although only two nuclear warheads have ever been detonated in the context of war,
there are about 22,000 nuclear warheads that exist in our world today.2 This figure is
considered to be conservative as well, seeing as the quantity is based off of self-reports and
some countries do not like to disclose the details of their nuclear programs.
The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons that was passed in 1969 and went
into effect in 19703 is one of the most influential pieces of international legislation that
regulates the use and spread of nuclear weapons with the acknowledgement that a nuclear
war would devastate our planet. Additionally, the treaty also acknowledges the many
practical applications for the peaceful use of nuclear technologies or energy. Currently, there
are 191 states who have signed the treaty with 5 of them being nuclear states.
The sheer potential of destruction that these weapons possess not only increases tension
between neighboring countries, but also dominates many foreign policy discussions
throughout the world in regards to how we should treat and manage nuclear weapons. While
some countries feel like they also have a right to possess such weapons for defence against
other countries that have a nuclear arsenal (such as the United States or the Russian
Federation), others want to outright ban the possession of nuclear arms around the globe.
However, it is good to note that most countries recognize that using nuclear weapons as an
offensive weapon than defence is costly and would not come without consequences.
Finally, it is important to understand that the detonation of nuclear bombs do not just create
an explosion, it leaves behind radioactive fallout that then contaminates the areas around the
crater (depending on winds and weather). It also causes radiation sickness, which can inflict
permanent damage on the body of a person, as well as acts as a catalyst for fatal diseases,
specifically leukemia.4
1
2
http://www.academicdestressor.com/disec-disarmament-and-international-security-committee/
https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/
https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/npt/
4
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/hiroshima-anniversary-what-actually-happened-when-atomic-bomb-was-dropped1459894
3
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DISEC Backgrounder
Historical Timeline
1896 - Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity
April 1939 - Nazi Germany begins working on the German nuclear energy project
August 6 1945 - First nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima
August 9 1945 - Second atomic (and last to date) bomb dropped in armed conflict (on
Nagasaki)
August 15 1945 - Japan surrenders to the allied powers
October 1961 - The largest nuclear warhead ever detonated (the Tsar Bomba) is set off by
the Soviets
December 1967 - Japan adopts the three non-nuclear principles
July 1 1969 - The Non Proliferation Treaty was signed5
September 23, 1992 - The US conducted the last nuclear test to date on US soil6
October 2006 - North Korea announces that it has tested Nuclear Weapons for the first time
5
6
https://www.csis.org/analysis/nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty
http://www.atomicheritage.org/history/timeline
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DISEC Backgrounder
Historical Analysis
This topic has roots that go back to World War II when nuclear arms were first developed.
After being invented, these weapons’ potential was quickly realized during the events in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Moreso, the development of nuclear stockpiles began in the 1950s
after the Soviets got their own nuclear bomb in 1949, worrying the USA that they could be
attacked.
With both sides now capable of mass destruction, the Mutually Assured Destruction stance
was adopted. Essentially, it was understood that if one side launched an attack, the other
would retaliate, and both sides were assured in their destruction. This supposedly was meant
to prevent the utilization of nuclear weapons. In 1972, there was the Strategic Arms
Limitation Treaty (SALT) wherein provisions were made so that each side (Soviets and
Americans) could inspect each other’s stockpiles.7 This, of course, was undermined by both
sides attempting to hide the true count of their stockpiles. Finally, in 1972 as well, the AntiBallistic Missile Treaty was signed, banning each side from having defenses against long
range missile attacks.8 It was believed that if a country does not have defenses, they would
not launch an offensive.
So for decades the pattern emerges that nuclear weapons are here to stay. Countries have
made provisions and treaties around these weapons, but the intention has never been to get rid
of them. After all, even one nuclear weapon is capable of disastrous effects, and no country is
willing to be caught off guard without a nuclear bomb. Even though the NPT was introduced
in 1968, to date, it has not achieved much. So delegates must peer into historical patterns and
treaties, and debate whether the idealistic goal of a nuclear weapons free world is possible in
our world today, and what provisions can be made to ensure that if we were to take this path
of universal nuclear disarmament, its integrity would be maintained and not undermined by
rogue nations.
7
8
https://www.britannica.com/event/Strategic-Arms-Limitation-Talks
https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/abmtreaty
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DISEC Backgrounder
Current Situation
Ever since the Treaty on
the Nonproliferation of
Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
was signed in 1968, 191
countries have adhered to
it, to date.9 However,
multiple nations have
made it clear that they are
not aligned with the goal
of nonproliferation. In
2003, the Democratic
People’s Republic of
Korea withdrew from the
NPT and have been
testing nuclear weapons as
recently as September 2016.10 Furthermore, as of now, only a select few countries are
allowed to practice with, handle, and deliver US nuclear warheads through NATO. These
countries include: Canada, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Turkey.
But like North Korea, there are many states that are currently viewed as rogue states
regarding nuclear weapons or have kept their nuclear dealings secret.11 India, Israel, and
Pakistan have never accepted the NPT and are thought to have stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
As well, Iran is an ambiguous case, remaining in denial about their nuclear weapons.
With respect to moves being made towards nonproliferation, the 5 nuclear states (NWS) People’s Republic of China, USA, France, Britain, Russian Federation - have expressed
desires to work towards nuclear disarmament and non proliferation. The NWS collectively
reduced the size of their nuclear arsenals from over 70,000 warheads at the height of the Cold
War to approximately 15,700 by 2015.12 These reductions have been carried out unilaterally
by at least four NWS, as well as through bilateral legally binding arrangements between the
9
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/non-proliferation/safeguards-toprevent-nuclear-proliferation.aspx
10
http://www.nti.org/analysis/reports/nuclear-disarmament/
11
http://globalsolutions.org/blog/2015/05/Nuclear-Non-Proliferation-and-GlobalOrder#.WHH6y4WcGsc
12
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/non-proliferation/safeguards-toprevent-nuclear-proliferation.aspx
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DISEC Backgrounder
United States and the Soviet Union/Russian Federation. The United States has reduced its
stockpile by 84% from a Cold War peak of 31,255 warheads in 1967, to the current stockpile
of approximately 5,000 operational and reserved warheads. While France has reduced its
arsenal unilaterally, and the United Kingdom announced ambitious reductions to its arsenal in
2010, both states plan to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent for the foreseeable future. In
contrast to the unilateral reduction measures taken by the NWS, India and Pakistan are
believed to be rapidly expanding their nuclear arsenals. However, India is considered a de
facto nuclear state simply because of its clean record with nonproliferation.13While it holds
nuclear capabilities, it has proven to respect world opinion on peace regarding nuclear
weapons. However, the fact still remains that it is a budding nuclear powerhouse with the
ability to cause destruction.
But although countries are individually trying to reduce their stockpiles, measures are also
being taken to prevent other countries from gaining nuclear weapons. International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors work to ensure that commercial nuclear materials and
technologies are not used for military purposes. Acting under the treaty, the IAEA regularly
inspects more than 350 civilian nuclear facilities. Under the Additional Protocol, adopted by
the IAEA in 1997, the agency was granted expanded rights of access to information and
sites.14
As well, there are guidelines for international nuclear trade targeted at tackling unethical
trading of nuclear weapons. The 46-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) establishes
guidelines for international nuclear trade. In 2011, the NSG voted to adopt guidelines that set
clear and specific criteria for the transfer of equipment and technology used in uranium
enrichment and nuclear fuel reprocessing.15 But these safeguards are all limited in scope, and
are yet to tackle some of the tougher scenarios where countries are illegally trading nuclear
capabilities. Thus, delegates must try and improve on the current situation and account for the
lose threads.
13
http://www.nti.org/analysis/reports/nuclear-disarmament/
https://www.nei.org/Master-Document-Folder/Backgrounders/Fact-Sheets/Preventing-TheProliferation-Of-Nuclear-Materials
15
Ibid.
14
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DISEC Backgrounder
Potential Solutions
Currently, the biggest roadblock on the path to nuclear non-proliferation is the lack of
participation from all 193 states within the United Nations. Even if one or two states do not
comply with the non-proliferation treaty, it would jeopardize the effectiveness of the entire
agreement. Additionally, since the Disarmament and International Security Committee is not
allowed to impose sanctions, resolutions are further limited. Delegates must come up with
creative solutions that don’t simply rely on economic sanctions to incentivize non-compliant
nations to jump on board with nuclear non-proliferation.
One of the first steps toward nuclear non-proliferation is to manage the current stockpile of
nuclear weapons: to come up with a clear number of nuclear warheads, their potential for
destruction, and a way to dispose of them in a safe way that would not jeopardize
international safety and relations.
Secondly, delegates will have to figure out what to do with countries who choose to build
nuclear weapons anyways and how to incentivize countries to not do so in the first place.
Again, this committee’s power to implement resolutions must be taken into consideration, as
it is a committee of suggestions over direct actions. Nevertheless, delegates may wish to
explore options such as economic alliances based on nuclear disarmament, moral
condemnation, and other strategic solutions that seek to create a high ground in their favor,
hence attracting nations to comply with the policies of nuclear disarmament.
Yet whatever solution delegates may choose to follow, it is important to understand the
limitations that this committee has as a General Assembly. That being said, the possibilities
are endless to create impactful change even within the scope of this committee’s power. It is
up to the delegates to decide on how they will tackle central issues in this committee, and the
two proposed routes above are purely suggestions and a baseline to work up from.
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DISEC Backgrounder
Bloc Positions
The 5 Nuclear States
Comprised of the People’s Republic of China, USA, France, Britain, and Russian Federation,
these countries currently legally possess nuclear arms, but are working together towards
nuclear non-proliferation around the world.
Middle East
Currently, there are only two countries who have nuclear arms within the Middle East.
However, should another country join that list, many fear that rival countries would begin to
build their own nuclear arsenal and that this would cause another nuclear arms race similar to
that of the Cold War between the United States and the USSR.
Middle Powers
While most countries do not have their own nuclear warheads, some select countries have
access to the American nuclear arsenal through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO). These countries include: Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Turkey. Only
these countries are allowed to deal with US warheads other than the US themselves and keep
some of the American arsenal on their own soil to be deployed should any of the countries
within NATO be threatened.
Discussion Questions
1. How would the proliferation/non-proliferation of nuclear weapons affect your country?
How has your country expressed this in the past?
2. What are some ways that the UN can enforce the Non-Proliferation Treaty onto countries
who do not agree? Should the UN follow through with these ways? Why or why not?
3. Should the international community be responsible for the regulation of nuclear weapons
or should this be left to sovereign countries to decide for themselves?
4. What should the UN do about the nuclear warheads currently in existence? Are the
measures in place right now enough? Why or why not?
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DISEC Backgrounder
Work Cited
"Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) – UNODA." United Nations.
United Nations, n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
Shultz, George P., William J. Perry, Henry A. Kissinger, and Sam Nunn. "A World Free of
Nuclear Weapons." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 04 Jan. 2007. Web. 09
Jan. 2017.
"Nuclear Disarmament Resource Collection | Analysis | NTI." Nuclear Disarmament
Resource Collection | Analysis | NTI. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
"Safeguards to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation." Nuclear Proliferation Safeguards - World
Nuclear Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
"Preventing the Prolifereation of Nuclear Materials." Preventing the Proliferation of Nuclear
Materials - Nuclear Energy Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
"Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Global Order." Citizens for Global Solutions. N.p., 24 Mar.
2016. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
Mackby, Jennifer. "The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty." The Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty | Center for Strategic and International Studies. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)."
Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 06 Apr. 2009. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
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