Position Papers by Country

Position paper for Monaco

Committee:	GA First
Topic:	Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours
Paper text:
The expansion of space activity in recent decades has generated unprecedented opportunities for scientific advancement and global cooperation. However, it has also introduced new challenges that threaten international peace and security. The growing risks of satellite collisions, debris accumulation, and potential militarization stress their urgency for comprehensive norms and principles to ensure responsible behavior in outer space. The Principality of Monaco recognizes that space must remain a domain of peace, governed by international law and guided by the collective responsibility of all nations. As a small, peaceful, and diplomatically engaged state, Monaco has consistently supported multilateral initiatives aimed at maintaining the peaceful use of outer space. While the Principality does not possess a national space program, it actively endorses the goals and principles of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and supports the work of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). Monaco emphasizes the importance of transparency, cooperation, and adherence to international law as essential measures to reduce tensions and promote trust among Member States. The Principality aligns itself with efforts to develop confidence-building mechanisms that prevent the weaponization of space and protect its use for scientific and humanitarian purposes. Monaco urges the international community to strengthen cooperative frameworks that ensure space remains accessible and secure for all. The Principality recommends the establishment of clearer international guidelines for debris mitigation and satellite operations, greater transparency through information-sharing and data exchange, and the reinforcement of UNOOSA’s role in coordinating global governance of space activities. Monaco supports capacity-building initiatives that allow all nations, regardless of technological capability, to participate safely and equitably in space research and communication. Monaco remains steadfast in its belief that collective action and respect for international law are the most effective means of preserving outer space for peaceful purposes. Through diplomacy, cooperation, and shared commitment, the international community can safeguard space as a realm of opportunity and security for present and future generations.

Committee:	GA First
Topic:	The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects
Paper text:
The Principality of Monaco believes that the ongoing issue of international concern surrounding the illicit small arms trade and the security concerns therein is one of grave significance to all member states, and that it is one that warrants a great amount of care and caution while approaching. To ensure the safety and security of member states, Monaco supports and advocates for UN Mechanisms such as PoA (the UN Programme of Action) to mark, record, and track weapons, to ensure they do not fall into the hands of criminal or terrorist organizations - as well as to investigate, maintain transparency, share information, and help build confidence among member states, ideally preventing the further spread of the illicit small arms trade among vulnerable member states especially and the global community in particular. Pursuant to The Principality of Monaco’s continued commitment to humanitarian diplomacy, Monaco also strongly urges member states to exercise responsibility, conscientiousness, and accountability when it comes to the protection and accommodation of vulnerable civilian populations—as well as the general principle of the long-term strengthening of border controls/assistance and secure, sustainable development—particularly within conflict zones and developing areas. Monaco believes in the collective responsibility of member states to the investigation and mitigation of the international illicit arms trade and implores all member states with the capacity for such oversight to be mindful of the potential threats that these weapons might pose for both their own population and for the populations of their fellow member states. The Principality of Monaco is a small state and does not possess a true military of its own, and as such whole-heartedly supports the use of international legal and diplomatic institutions—as well as UN-led frameworks, security initiatives, and codes of conduct as productive supplementary actions to aid in individual/unilateral military and law enforcement operations conducted by member states to curtail the dealing of illicit arms. Monaco believes in and advocates for the current frameworks in place to ensure international peace and cooperation in the apprehension and prosecution of these illegal arms dealers. Monaco also implores NGOs and fellow member states to support UN involvement in these operations through existing international frameworks, endorses any good-faith attempts to coordinate technical and financial support for these initiatives, and cautions against potentially divisive or even counterproductive new treaties and negotiations that might hinder the ability of the UN and its member states to bring justice to these criminals and bring safety to the vulnerable people suffering at their hands.

Committee:	GA Second
Topic:	Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence
Paper text:
As an organization, the United Nations focuses on “creating a world with sustainable peace—a world without poverty or hunger, and where all have health and education. A world where we honor and protect life under water and on land. A world of peace and justice for all." It is impossible to achieve these goals and promote development in these areas without acknowledging globalization and interdependence. To create a world where everyone lives free of fear, it's essential to work together and support each other until we are strong enough to stand on our own. The United Nations, being a symbol of globalization, must act in this. The United Nations has acknowledged this issue before. For example, the general assembly resolution A/RES/54/231 addressed the growth of IT (especially within the economy) and called on the United Nations, as well as major developed Member States, to support other Member States so that they were not abandoned in this new age of technology. Additionally, the United Nations has been striving to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs act as a vision board, setting goals for the UN to support the entire world in ensuring the lives of all people are fulfilling and free of suffering. The Principality of Monaco has done its fair share in promoting development as well, being a participant in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Through the OECD, the Principality of Monaco directly contributes to the SDGs fiscally. In 2024, the Principality of Monaco contributed 28.9 million USD as development assistance. Furthermore, within the Principality of Monaco, there is a development assistance program called the Prince’s Government’s Public Aid for Development. This program “supports more than 150 projects every year in 11 partner countries, primarily least developed countries”. Evidently, action is consistently taking place to promote development in the context of globalization and interdependence, but we must not remain complacent. Member states must see the SDGs as dire objectives that are above national priorities. We must view all people, no matter the country of origin, as equal and deserve support. The survival of developing Member States is up to the entire United Nations, and if we let our own desires for power get in the way of providing for the rest of the world, we are no better than the dictatorships that preceded us.

Committee:	GA Second
Topic:	Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
Paper text:
The global climate of our world is evidently a highly regarded issue that, if not approached properly, could lead to our planet’s demise. Our planet is warming up faster than it ever has before due to the extensive use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. Our environment, atmosphere, and ecosystems are immensely interconnected, meaning that the warming of our world is the first of many fatal problems. From 2030 to 2050, climate change will cause “approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress”. Clearly, action must be taken to prevent the impending death of our world. So far, the United Nations has already made efforts to slow the warming of our planet. An example of this is the Paris Agreement (Decision 1/CP. 21). Under this agreement, Member States “agreed to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions”. The United Nations has also created a convention on climate change, which funds developing Member States to emit less greenhouse gases, as well as calling on developed Member States to do the same. The Principality of Monaco has supported such efforts by the United Nations and some, founding and consistently participated in the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG). The EIG is a coalition of Member States that strives to, in short, improve our climate. Through the EIG, the principality of Monaco works with a large variety of member states, bridging the gap between developed and developing Member States. Developed Member States must prioritize working with developing Member States to confirm there is participation in the Paris Agreement from all Member States. Additionally, all Member States (especially the group of 20) should strive to make stronger pledges/efforts to protect our climate, as the Paris Agreement was a mere first step in the long process of protecting our planet. This committed and progressive approach suggests that there should be more frequent and in-depth reports on Nationally Determined Contributions. Leading Member States to be more self-aware of the harm they are perpetrating on Planet Earth.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination
Paper text:
More than ever, the world needs to recommit itself to the policy of Self-Determination and international law. Self-determination is one of the most important principles of the UN charter, and as such, Member States must hold themselves to this standard and international law. Monaco stands with commitment to international law and the ideals of Self-Determination in the world. As the smallest Member State of the United Nations, Monaco understands the necessity of people to be able to decide their own fate and how they are to be governed and stands with those who seek autonomy and further Self-Determination. Monaco also supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and the right of the Palestinian people to self-governance, as affirmed in Resolution 79/163 “The Right of the Palestinian People to self-determination" of which Monaco voted in favor of the resolution, affirming its commitment to a two-state solution that will bring peace for both Israel and the Palestinian people. The invasion of Ukraine has raised the issue of self-determination against external force, so Monaco believes that a lasting peace must be established between Russia and Ukraine that gives the Ukrainian people their right to self-determination and shows respect for the sovereignty of Ukraine. Monaco is ready to work with the international community to help establish peace and freedom across the world for all peoples who are unable to gain self-governance or are under foreign subjugation. So may this not be the last call upon all the Member-States and the international community to reaffirm their commitment to self-determination and the UN charter that establishes it as an important part of international law.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas
Paper text:
Internationally, women and girls of rural areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change, disease, violence, abuse, natural disasters, poverty, forced or early marriage, unemployment, and more. Rural women and girls make up one-fourth of the world's population. They contribute to a large portion of the global agricultural system, yet they receive high levels of discrimination on inheritance, equal pay, and access to property. They are more likely to struggle in these areas than males or women and girls in urban areas. This can lead to them not being able to practice their rights to a full extent. Examples of barriers that are preventing women and girls in rural areas from being equals in their community are location, finances, and social resistance. Monaco supports the continued efforts for equal rights and to empower women and girls within rural areas. While Monaco does not have rural areas, this does not prevent its contribution of aid and advocacy for women’s rights. In 2025, Prince Albert II supported a program that assisted women to lead agriculture in Guinea-Bissau. Monaco is in partnership with four other countries to form J-MED, a program that assists vulnerable groups, especially women and girls in rural areas. Monaco has shown its support for improving the educational and economic status of rural women by partnering with UNESCO to provide training, financial aid, and food to women and girls in vulnerable situations. The state of Monaco is assisting women entrepreneurs in Tunisia by funding the project PWE (Promoting Women’s Empowerment), a project of UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization). Through this initiative, women are overcoming barriers, creating jobs, and challenging gender inequality. The State of Monaco encourages other nations to participate in or create programs like this example. Rural women's leadership and participation should be encouraged at all levels of community and government.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	Our ocean, our future, our responsibility
Paper text:
The Principality of Monaco recognizes the ocean as a fundamental resource that sustains global biodiversity, regulates climate, and supports economic and cultural livelihoods. As a small coastal state with a long maritime tradition, Monaco understands the urgent need to protect the oceans for present and future generations. Safeguarding marine environments is a shared responsibility that requires international cooperation and decisive action. Monaco is deeply concerned about the accelerating threats to our oceans, including overfishing, plastic pollution, habitat loss, and the effects of climate change, such as ocean acidification and rising sea levels. These challenges demand immediate, coordinated solutions. Monaco emphasizes the necessity of implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 and strengthening international maritime governance to ensure accountability and the sustainable use of marine resources. To address these challenges, Monaco advocates concrete measures to preserve and restore ocean health. These include expanding and enforcing Marine Protected Areas to safeguard critical habitats while promoting sustainable fisheries; implementing international agreements to reduce plastic and chemical waste entering the oceans, supported by monitoring programs and public awareness campaigns; and investing in oceanographic research and technological innovations to monitor, restore, and increase resilience to climate impacts, while encouraging knowledge sharing between nations. Monaco also supports capacity-building initiatives for small coastal states, providing technical assistance, funding, and training to strengthen sustainable marine management and disaster preparedness. Monaco calls on all member states to commit to these initiatives and work collaboratively to ensure oceans remain healthy, productive, and resilient. By taking decisive action now, the international community can secure a future where our oceans continue to provide life, sustenance, and inspiration for generations to come, fulfilling our shared responsibility to protect this vital global resource.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations
Paper text:
In the modern international ecosystem, dozens of countries across the world struggle with providing various resources to their populations, leading to tens of millions around the world who suffer without proper resources allotted to them. Monaco realizes this and has a very strong precedent internationally for providing humanitarian aid and supporting emergency aid. Within the last five years, multiple major conflicts have ignited, two being the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. For both cases, the Principality of Monaco has supported humanitarian aid for Ukraine and Palestine, respectively, through resolutions A/RES/ES-11/2 in 2022 and A/RES/ES-10/22 in 2023. These two resolutions were passed in accordance with the Russian and Israeli invasions and look to provide humanitarian aid and condemn the respective nations’ actions in their operations. Monaco also has a strong history of supporting international humanitarian projects through The Prince’s Government’s Public Aid for Development, a program that supports over 150 projects yearly in 11 different partner countries, all of which are in the global south, with 10 in Africa. This aid is focused on vulnerable populations, including women and children, along with refugees. This program is also committed to emergency humanitarian aid in cases of natural disasters and large-scale political conflicts, such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Monaco strongly adheres to the 17th Sustainable Development Goal, which seeks to build strong partnerships in the achievement of the SDGs. This partnership and cooperation have allotted over 130 million Euros worth of public aid since 2018 to countries in need. Around 2 million of this public aid had gone to emergency relief funds within the past 3 years via a system of appeals, where countries may submit aid proposals in times of emergency. Like public aid, the majority of this goes to underdeveloped nations in the global south, many of which are also partnered with the Prince's Government’s Public Aid for Development. In the aid sent out, Monaco offers unique expertise in areas such as public health and civil protection, two areas where the nation excels and has had time to develop strong complexes domestically. These complexes allow for Monaco to better assist in these areas where many underdeveloped nations struggle and cannot sufficiently provide for all their populations.

Committee:	IAEA
Topic:	Nuclear security
Paper text:
Nuclear security needs to remain a top priority for the international community. The misuse and loss of nuclear and radioactive materials create a serious threat to global peace and human safety. The increase of non-state actors, cyber threats, and illicit trafficking has caused an increased need for international cooperation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a crucial role in assisting Member States to protect nuclear facilities and materials, as well as working to ensure that nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes. Despite the Principality of Monaco being a non-nuclear state, we are still deeply committed to upholding the international policies that will strengthen nuclear security. Monaco is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and strongly supports the IAEA’s code of conduct surrounding the safety and security of radioactive sources. Through the IAEA Environmental Laboratories located in Monaco, we work to contribute to the research and monitoring related to marine radioactivity. We believe that this shows our dedication to promoting transparency and responsible scientific cooperation. Monaco believes that the effectiveness of nuclear security depends on strong multilateral partnerships and capacity building. Monaco supports expanding IAEA-led training programs to help Member States secure nuclear and radiological materials. We are also advocating for greater investment in the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund to ensure that the Agency can respond to current and future risks as needed.

Committee:	IAEA
Topic:	Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications
Paper text:
In the age of global warming, it is paramount to propel the worldwide production and distribution of cleaner energy. We support the development and furtherance of nuclear energy technologies internationally. Reducing our consumption of fossil fuels and replacing our reliance on power needs with renewable sources reduces our impact on the environment and shrinks our carbon footprint. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal of affordable and clean energy. A major forefront of development for nuclear power is that of fission systems. A top priority is making a method of nuclear fission that is more accessible and budget-friendly than current technology allows. Once we, as an international community, discover such a method, atomic energy will be much more efficient, wasting less of our resources as fuel while remaining low-impact on the environment. Overall, we want to see the worldwide energy sources continue to evolve into a cleaner, more affordable, and more effective system.

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