VMUN 2023

United Nations General Assembly -

Disarmament and International
Security Committee

BACKGROUND GUIDE

AGENDA: "Countering Nuclear

Weapon Proliferation for Global
Peace and Stability"
TABLE OF CONTENT-:

LETTER FROM EB 3

COMMITTEE MANDATE 4

ABOUT THE AGENDA 5

HISTORICAL ANALYSIS 7

LEGALITIES 9

QARMA 11

BIBLIOGRAPHY 11
 LETTER FROM EB:

Dear esteemed delegates,

It is our honor to warmly welcome you to the second edition of VMUN! As

Executive Board members of the Disarmament and International Security
Committee, we are honored to serve you and are excited to embark on this
journey together. Our carefully chosen agenda aims to address pressing
global concerns and foster engaging debates. We expect passionate
discussions, groundbreaking solutions, and a sense of enjoyment over the
next two days.
Our principles revolve around innovation, respect, and enthusiasm. We
thrive to provide a platform that fosters diverse views while encouraging an
understanding of differing perspectives. We hope our comprehensive
background guide serves as a starting point for your research, and we
encourage exploration beyond its scope.

Our goal is for each delegate to have an enjoyable and valuable learning
experience. We assure you of our utmost efforts to make this an
unforgettable experience for you and us. Please approach the agenda and
fellow committee members with respect. At any point before or during the
conference, if any doubts do arise, please feel free to contact the executive
board members on the given committee email ID.

Please note that this committee will be accepting position papers. You are
requested to submit your position papers by 30th August, 9:00 P.M. IST to
the committee email address provided. No papers will be accepted after
this deadline.

We look forward to an extraordinary MUN conference with all of you.

Yours sincerely,
Nickul Pahwa-Chairperson
Sahana Sentil Kumar-Co-Chairperson
Ananya Sunil-Moderator
Executive Board Members Disarmament and International Security
Committee
Committee Mandate:

The Disarmament and International Security Committee, often

referred to as DISEC, is one of the six main committees of the
United Nations General Assembly. DISEC's primary focus lies in
addressing issues related to disarmament, arms control, and
international security. With the goal of promoting global peace
and stability, DISEC engages in discussions and formulates
resolutions on a wide range of topics, including conventional
weapons, nuclear disarmament, chemical and biological
weapons, cyber warfare, and the prevention of arms
proliferation.
DISEC serves as a platform for Member States to collaborate,
share perspectives, and devise effective strategies to mitigate
the threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and conventional arms. Delegates in DISEC are
expected to critically analyze the global security landscape,
evaluate potential risks, and propose comprehensive measures
that uphold the principles of disarmament while considering
each nation's security interests.
As a committee, DISEC plays a crucial role in shaping
international norms, agreements, and regulations that
contribute to a more secure and peaceful world. Delegates in
DISEC are encouraged to foster meaningful dialogue, negotiate
solutions, and draft resolutions that reflect a balance between
ensuring national security and safeguarding global stability.
Through cooperative efforts and informed debate, DISEC aims
to formulate actionable recommendations that can be
presented to the larger General Assembly for consideration and
endorsement.
About the Agenda:
Nuclear proliferation is greatly enhancing the likelihood of
nuclear war. It dramatically increases the number of scenarios
for small-scale nuclear wars or nuclear terrorism, that could
escalate to nuclear war between the superpowers.

Many countries do their nuclear tests to prove their nuclear

preparedness to the world. This boost other nations to increase
their nuclear capacity. Hence threatening world peace. The
world is in danger due to the modern nuclear race.

The study determined that nuclear weapons promote strategic

stability and prevent largescale wars but simultaneously allow
for more low intensity conflicts. If a nuclear monopoly exists
between two states, and one state has nuclear weapons and its
opponent does not, there is a greater chance of war.

Competition to gain power and status is most often the cause

for the proliferation of weapons. Small arms, nuclear, chemical,
and biological weapons are the types of weapons most often
discussed when talking about the issue

Simply put, a nuclear war could end most life on Earth. That's
why a top priority for the United States and other countries is
nuclear nonproliferation, or preventing the production and
spread of nuclear weapons. Nonproliferation is critical to
safeguarding life as we know it.

Diplomatic Efforts and Agreements: International diplomacy

continues to play a crucial role in countering nuclear weapon
proliferation. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),
also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a significant diplomatic
achievement aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in
exchange for sanctions relief. Efforts to strengthen and restore
this agreement have been ongoing. Additionally, there have
been calls for further disarmament efforts through bilateral and
multilateral negotiations, such as the efforts to denuclearize the
Korean Peninsula.

Nuclear Arms Control Treaties: Existing arms control treaties,

such as the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty)
between the United States and Russia, have aimed to limit the
number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons and launchers.
Renewed efforts to extend or replace these treaties have been
discussed to maintain stability and transparency in the context
of global nuclear security.

Non-Proliferation Initiatives: Non-proliferation initiatives seek to

prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and related
technologies. International organizations such as the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) play a critical role in
monitoring and verifying compliance with nuclear agreements,
including the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Advancements in Verification and Monitoring Technologies:

Technological advancements have improved the ability to verify
and monitor compliance with nuclear agreements. Advanced
satellite imagery, remote sensing, and analytical tools are used
to track nuclear activities and facilities.

Cybersecurity and Nuclear Facilities: As more nuclear facilities

become reliant on digital systems, the importance of
cybersecurity to prevent potential cyberattacks on these
facilities has grown. Ensuring the security of critical
infrastructure is essential to preventing unauthorized access or
sabotage.

Preventing Illicit Trafficking: Efforts to prevent the illicit

trafficking of nuclear materials and technologies have been
ongoing. Enhanced border controls, improved radiation
detection equipment, and international collaboration have all
contributed to these efforts.
Multilateral Initiatives and Forums: International forums and
organizations, such as the United Nations Security Council,
continue to address issues related to nuclear proliferation.
Discussions and collaborations in these forums aim to maintain
global peace and security through dialogue and coordinated
actions.

Research and Education: Promoting awareness and education

about the risks of nuclear proliferation is crucial. Academic
institutions, think tanks, and research organizations contribute
to the understanding of the challenges and potential solutions
related to nuclear weapons.

Historical Analysis:
After the Manhattan Project produced the first atomic bombs,
its effects rippled through science and society in sometimes
unpredictable ways.
The Manhattan Project's massive effort to build the first atomic
bomb led to the Trinity test on July 16, 1945. The project had
consumed huge amounts of resources and, in building weapons
of unprecedented potency, gave godlike power to flawed
humans. It also inspired innovations and actions that continue
to cascade through science and culture in ways both predictable
and surprising.
In the decades that followed, scientists deployed the Manhattan
Project's facilities to advance research across a wide range of
disciplines, brought their messages directly to the public more
often, saw the New Mexico desert location of the first bomb test
become a tourist site, and much, much more.
The power of the atom is undeniable and in many ways
unfathomable. The stories, videos and graphics collected here
commemorate the 75th anniversary of Trinity and present a
snapshot of how deeply the influence of the Manhattan Project
has permeated science and culture. While we can’t possibly
capture the full extent of the project’s history and legacy, in the
 timeline and stories below we present elements of it that we
found inspiring, surprising, or illuminating. As Manhattan Project
physicist Joan Hinton told historian and physicist Ruth Howes,
when the sound of the explosion reached those she had
gathered with, "We suddenly started talking out loud and felt
exposed to the whole world."
Emerging technologies could significantly increase the risk of
nuclear weapons use. New developments in offensive cyber
capabilities, artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies
will significantly impact military behavior, and experts agree that
they could add another layer of risk to an already unacceptable
level of risk of nuclear weapons use.
Any use of nuclear weapons, either by intent, accident or
miscalculation, will cause catastrophic humanitarian
consequences, so it is critical that policymakers and the public
understand the pre-existing dangers of nuclear weapons as well
as added risks posed by emerging technologies. Adopting
measures that only seek to reduce or mitigate the additional risk
that emerging technologies pose to nuclear weapon use is not
an adequate response to the nuclear status quo. Eliminating
nuclear weapons is the only way to eliminate these risks
altogether.
The specific risks posed by advancements in cyber operations
and artificial intelligence are still being discovered, but some
risks include:
Cyber attacks could manipulate the information decision-
makers get to launch nuclear weapons, and interfere with the
operation of nuclear weapons themselves;
The increased application of advanced machine learning in
defense systems can speed up warfare – giving decision-makers
even less time to consider whether or not to launch nuclear
weapons;
Countries may be eager to apply new artificial intelligence
technologies before they understand the full implications of
these technologies;
It is impossible to eliminate the risk of core nuclear weapons
systems being hacked or compromised without eliminating
nuclear weapons.
Legalities:
NON PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)
The non-proliferation treaty (1968) is a fairly distinctive
framework as opposed to other prevalent international treaties
such as the TPNW, which hasn’t been signed by any country with
a nuclear stockpile. The non-proliferation treaty highlights the
integration of a monopoly with reference to the 5 countries that
proliferated before 1968. The NPT has been signed by significant
countries with a nuclear weapon stockpile, namely China, The
United States of America, France, The United Kingdom and The
Russian Federation. The non-proliferation treaty lays down in
Article 1 the provisions for nuclear countries with restrictions to
transfer their weapons to non-nuclear states and further
stockpiling. Under Article 2 of the NPT, nuclear weapon-holding
states consent to not assist in the manufacture of nuclear
weapons by non-nuclear weapon states. The NPT, having been
originally introduced as a nuclear arms control as a result of the
aftermath of the Twin-bombing of the Japanese cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in 1945, has
become one of the cornerstones of the global non-proliferation
regime and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
(2017) has had a majority of its provisions created with reference
to, or in consideration of the NPT.

TREATY ON PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (TPNW)

The treaty on the prohibition of Nuclear weapons was a
landmark global agreement signed in 2017, and entered into
force on 22nd January 2021, formed as a result of a decade-long
prompting by the ICAN (International Committee to abolish
nuclear weapons). The treaty although, has not been signed by
the major countries in possession of Nuclear arms, despite
having been signed 92 states and 68 states parties worldwide.
The TPNW, as implied in its very name, provides a
comprehensive set of provisions revolving around the
prohibition of nuclear weapons entirely by international actors.
Specifically, it prohibits attributes attesting to the development,
testing, production, manufacturing, acquisition, possession,
stockpiling, stationing, deployment, use, threat of use, transfer,
or receipt of nuclear weapons, and the assistance,
encouragement, or inducement of any outlawed activity. There
arises a vital question with relevance to their treaty, about its
relevance if Global Nuclear Weapon actor countries in
themselves have not signed it. The ICAN has addressed this by
dictating the motive of the TPNW to be a normative tool for
moral change and societal awareness. It also aims at
strengthening existing international legal frameworks and
policies revolving around the usage of Nuclear Weapons. It
highlights the DISEC’s motto for disarmament by ratifying sub-
related treaties such as the CTBT (Comprehensive nuclear Test
ban treaty), with the intention of reinforcing disarmament
efforts by nuclear-armed states.

ARTICLE 51 OF THE UN CHARTER

Article 51 of the United Nations Charter embodies the inherent
right of individual or collective self-defense in the face of armed
attacks. While the provision recognizes the need for self-
defense, it mandates that such actions be reported immediately
to the Security Council, allowing the Council to take necessary
measures to restore international peace and security. In the
context of nuclear weapon proliferation, Article 51 remains
crucial as it balances a nation's right to safeguard itself with the
broader responsibility of maintaining global stability. The
proliferation of nuclear weapons intensifies the potential for
conflict and escalation, heightening the importance of adhering
to Article 51's reporting requirements to prevent unchecked
responses and facilitate multilateral intervention.
Nonetheless, the delicate nature of nuclear weapon
proliferation demands a nuanced interpretation of Article 51.
The threat posed by these weapons extends beyond individual
nations, impacting the collective security of the international
community. The clause underscores the need for states to
exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions over
military actions, especially in the context of nuclear
proliferation. While Article 51 preserves the right to self-
defense, it simultaneously emphasizes the broader objective of
international peace, prompting states to collaborate through
the Security Council to address nuclear threats
comprehensively and prevent actions that might exacerbate
global tensions.

QARMA:
1. Addressing the problems related to legalities.
2. What role can international organizations and the
global community play in addressing the agenda?
3. How will the resolution balance national security
and global peace?
4. How to address the negative effects of nuclear
weapon testing?
5. How will the resolution prevent nuclear weapon
proliferation?

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
https://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/disarmament-fora/nuclear-
weapon-ban
https://www.icanw.org/why_does_this_treaty_matter_if_none_of_
the_countries_with_nuclear_weapons_have_joined
https://ourworldindata.org/nuclear-weapons-risk
https://www.un.org/en/ga/first/