Position Papers by Country

Position paper for New Zealand

Committee:	GA First
Topic:	Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours
Paper text:
New Zealand affirms that outer space is a shared global domain vital to modern communication, navigation, scientific advancement, and sustainable development. We view the increasing militarization of space, the irresponsible generation of debris, and the absence of universally accepted norms as significant threats to international peace and security. Outer space must remain free from conflict and be used solely for peaceful purposes. To maintain a peaceful space environment, New Zealand upholds United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution 75/36, fostering transparency and confidence-building measures, such as actively engaging in multilateral forums like the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats. We encourage Member States to continue their commitment to international space mission operation regulations through the strict licensing of private and commercial state actors. Responsible innovation must align with global security initiatives and contribute meaningfully to the UN Sustainable Development Goals like Goal 9 to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. New Zealand opposes the testing of destructive anti-satellite weapons. We support the advancement of negotiations toward a legally binding resolution to prevent an arms race in outer space and the development of voluntary, non-binding norms that define responsible behavior, including the avoidance of debris-generating activities and the timely notification of space launches. Furthermore, New Zealand encourages states to share data on space objects and activities through the UN Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space to strengthen international cooperation on space situational awareness (SSA) mechanisms. Transparency reduces miscalculations and enhances trust and cooperation among nations. Our commitment to responsible space conduct is founded on the Outer Space and High-Altitude Activities Act (2017), which promotes transparency, accountability, and the peaceful use of space. Through these measures, New Zealand remains committed to preserving outer space as a peaceful, secure, and sustainable environment for all humankind.

Committee:	GA First
Topic:	The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects
Paper text:
New Zealand is committed to addressing the illegal weapons trade as a violation of international law. As a show of this commitment, New Zealand signed and ratified the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Arms Trade Treaty. Personnel of the New Zealand Defense Forces (NZDF) have supported UN peacekeeping operations, such as the UN Mission in South Sudan, and observed the illegal arms trade. Light weapons, like anti-tank rockets and grenades, are also attached to inexpensive, commercial-grade drones, which are popular among non-state actors. Due to drones being more commonly purchased by non- military personnel, it is in the interest of international security to reduce the accessibility of these weapons for unofficial military organizations. New Zealand is committed to working with our global partners to restrict and counter the acquisition of illegal weapons by non-state actors through the institution of strict regulations to prevent the use of these weapons against civilians, UN peacekeepers, and military personnel of Member States. We firmly condemn any weapons trading between state and non-state actors. New Zealand follows and reports on all weapon sales through the UN Register of Conventional Arms, and we call upon other Member States to also utilize the register to consistently report weapon sales. We are committed to upholding international laws and regulations. International cooperation is the only constructive path to ending the cycle of illegal arms trading. New Zealand is willing to cooperate with the UN and Member States to reduce the trading of conventional weapons. We are committed to promoting international security and stability as a top priority for global peace. By working with our fellow Member States, New Zealand is confident in finding a long-term, equitable solution to the illegal distribution of small arms and light weapons.

Committee:	GA Second
Topic:	Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence
Paper text:
New Zealand recognizes that globalization and interdependence have connected economies through trade and technology, yet they have also deepened inequality between Member States. As a small, open, and trade-based nation, New Zealand believes that fair, inclusive globalization is essential for sustainable growth. We remain committed to a rules-based international system that encourages cooperation among Member States, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society. The United Nations (UN) has long led efforts to make globalization more equitable. The Declaration on the Right to Development (1986) affirmed development as a human right; the Millennium Development Goals (2000) set measurable global targets to reduce poverty; and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015) introduced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to guide international progress by 2030. New Zealand actively supports these frameworks, aligning our national Wellbeing Budget with SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDG 13 on climate action. Through partnerships with the Pacific Islands Forum and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), New Zealand promotes renewable energy by funding solar and wind projects in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), strengthens climate resilience through the Pacific Resilience Facility, and supports sustainable livelihoods via the New Zealand Aid Programme. To strengthen globalization and interdependence, we urge the UN to expand targeted development financing through the UNDP and regional development banks to ensure predictable funding for SIDS and least developed countries. We recommend establishing an UN-coordinated Digital Partnership Platform to share technology and bridge the global digital divide. New Zealand advocates integrating climate-resilient trade standards into global supply chains through cooperation between the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). New Zealand remains committed to collaboration and shared responsibility, working with Member States, IGOs, and NGOs to ensure that globalization and interdependence deliver inclusive prosperity, environmental sustainability, and peace for all.

Committee:	GA Second
Topic:	Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
Paper text:
New Zealand recognizes climate change as the most urgent and complex challenge confronting the international community. As a Pacific nation, New Zealand witnesses firsthand the existential threat that rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and intensifying storms pose to small, developing island states, which may face partial or complete submersion within decades. Protecting the global climate is therefore not solely an environmental priority but a moral, economic, and security obligation to present and future generations. New Zealand reaffirms our steadfast commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1992) and the Paris Agreement (2015), emphasizing the shared duty to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C. New Zealand calls upon the UN General Assembly, the Conference of the Parties (COP), and UN agencies, including UNDP and UNEP, to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund, expand contributions to the Green Climate Fund, and integrate climate action across all pillars of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 13 on climate action. Domestically, New Zealand demonstrates leadership through the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019, which legally commits the nation to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, guided by the Climate Change Commission. The Emissions Reduction Plan advances renewable energy, sustainable transport, agricultural innovation, and native forest restoration, demonstrating that economic growth can be aligned with environmental responsibility. Internationally, New Zealand participates in the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and supports the Pacific Resilience Facility, strengthening capacity-building and adaptation across vulnerable communities. New Zealand urges all Member States, IGOs, NGOs, and citizens to enact evidence-based legislation, expand UN-led technology-sharing and education initiatives, and cooperate equitably. Only through collective, accountable action can humanity preserve a resilient, low-emission planet for present and future generations.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination
Paper text:
The principle of self-determination, preserved in Article 1(2) and 55 of the United Nations (UN) Charter, represents the foundation for peaceful coexistence. New Zealand upholds UN General Assembly (GA) Resolution 2625, the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States, conveying that all people have the inalienable right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. New Zealand also supports UNGA Resolution 1514, the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, establishing the international framework for decolonization, affirming that all people have the right to freely determine their political status. New Zealand advocates for human rights development, supports the universal realization of self-determination, and recognizes respect for this fundamental right to achieve lasting peace. New Zealand commits to self-determination through our actions in the Pacific region, with measures being taken through the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which communicate self-determination in their first articles. New Zealand reinforces Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies and provides justice for all. We recognize that foreign military occupation remains a significant obstacle threatening self-determination, preventing people from exercising their fundamental rights, which often results in humanitarian crises and regional instability. New Zealand urges the international community to address foreign military occupation through diplomatic dialogue driven by international law, leading to discussions on territorial integrity. We advocate for the strengthening of emerging states to increase sustainable economic development, with safeguards for developing island states that face threats from human rights violations and climate change. Through dedication to UN Charter principles, New Zealand remains confident that Member States can work together to guarantee all people can exercise self-determination without domination.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas
Paper text:
New Zealand remains committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls in rural areas. Rural women and girls face challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, as well as persistent sexual and gender- based violence. New Zealand recognizes UNGA Resolution 72/148, highlighting the resource limitations affecting rural women and girls, and supports the comprehensive frameworks outlined in UNGA Resolutions 50/165 and 78/220 to address these disparities. These resolutions emphasize critical areas, including access to sexual and reproductive health services, education, and protection from violence, which are essential for empowering rural communities. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) serves as the foundational framework for New Zealand’s approach to gender equality in rural areas. CEDAW defines gender-based discrimination across all sectors and establishes binding commitments to advance women’s rights and fundamental freedoms. New Zealand regularly reports on fulfilling CEDAW obligations, emphasizing Article 14, to address the rights of rural women to participate in development planning, access to health and education, and benefit from economic opportunities. Our commitment to CEDAW reflects the recognition that empowering rural women is essential to achieving sustainable development. To improve the situation of women and girls in rural areas, New Zealand advocates for strengthened international cooperation and implementation of CEDAW provisions across Member States. New Zealand supports expanded healthcare accessibility, targeted educational programs, economic development initiatives, and gender-responsive policies enabling rural women and girls to participate fully in social, economic, and political life. Ensuring rural women and girls have access to sexual and reproductive health resources, educational opportunities, and pathways to economic independence, the international community can unlock potentially overlooked communities. New Zealand is committed to collaborating with Member States to ensure empowerment of rural women and girls remains fundamental to achieving peace and sustainable development.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	Our ocean, our future, our responsibility
Paper text:
As a nation with one of the world’s largest marine ecosystems, New Zealand upholds a longstanding commitment to the sustainable use of our ocean. The sea is a key element of our identity, providing food and livelihoods for our people, and connecting us to the rest of the world. However, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss are endangering this. New Zealand believes that all Member States share a legal and moral responsibility to protect the marine environment for current and future generations. Strengthening international accountability to this commitment needs to be a priority. New Zealand reaffirms our dedication to the protection of marine wildlife through the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1978) and the Wellington Convention (1991), which we initiated to ban driftnet fishing in the South Pacific. However, an estimated twenty-six million tons of fish are lost each year to illegal and unregulated practices. The protection of the oceans’ limited resources requires both constraint and cooperation. Guided by Sustainable Development Goals 13, for climate action, and 14, for life below water, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the legal foundation for governing all activity at sea, and the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), which works to protect biodiversity in international waters, New Zealand calls for the expansion of protected areas and the implementation of stronger monitoring and law enforcement systems against unsustainable practices through the expansion of a coordinated global monitoring system, modeled on the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, by linking satellite tracking, transparent data, and existing regional networks. Our ocean is a living system that sustains all life on Earth. Its preservation cannot be dependent on empty promises; it must be accomplished through greater accountability and collective action.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations
Paper text:
New Zealand affirms our unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles rooted in neutrality, impartiality, and respect for sovereignty. Furthermore, New Zealand strongly supports the enhanced coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance, especially in response to natural disasters such as tsunamis, cyclones, earthquakes, and flooding. The increasing frequency and intensity of such disasters demand a renewed and coordinated global response. New Zealand has consistently supported the United Nations (UN) efforts to improve humanitarian coordination, including General Assembly Resolution 46/182 (1991) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction (2015). New Zealand continues to work closely with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and regional partners to ensure timely and needs-based responses that uphold the dignity and safety of affected populations. To advance global coordination and improve the effectiveness of humanitarian response, New Zealand proposes a series of strategic actions. First, we call for increased investment in early warning systems and disaster preparedness, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. These systems are essential for reducing injuries, minimizing infrastructure damage, and saving lives. Second, New Zealand advocates for the expansion of partnerships between UN agencies, local governments, and non-governmental organizations. Such collaboration ensures that responses are culturally appropriate, community-led, and grounded in local knowledge. Third, New Zealand emphasizes the importance of protecting and empowering humanitarian personnel, especially women, who often face gender-based restrictions and heightened risks in certain regions. Their safety and equitable participation are vital to inclusive and effective humanitarian action. Finally, New Zealand supports the development of interoperable digital platforms that enable real-time coordination, resource tracking, and data sharing among humanitarian actors. These tools can significantly enhance transparency, speed, and efficiency during crises. New Zealand urges all Member States to join us in advancing these proposals and reaffirms our shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable.

Committee:	IAEA
Topic:	Nuclear security
Paper text:
New Zealand maintains our firm commitment to safeguarding nuclear security worldwide and combating nuclear terrorism. Maintaining our long-standing nuclear-free stance, New Zealand understands that world peace depends on removing the hazards presented by nuclear weapons and materials. To safeguard humanity from environmental threats, terrorism, and conflict, nuclear security is a shared duty that necessitates collaboration amongst all Member States. The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its 2005 Amendment, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1540, which requires states to forbid non-state actors from obtaining WMDs, are among the important international frameworks that New Zealand fully supports. The UN General Assembly resolution "Nuclear War Effects and Scientific Research" in 2024, which New Zealand co-sponsored, established a scientific body to evaluate the consequences of nuclear war and guide global policy. Implementing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards is another key component of New Zealand's Disarmament and Arms Control Strategy (2024–2026). New Zealand has contributed to peer reviews, technical support, and capacity-building in emerging countries through our participation in programs including the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan 2022–2025 and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. To combat insider threats, illegal trafficking, and non-state actors, we support enhancing training for employees of nuclear facilities, encouraging information exchange, and fortifying cooperative intelligence procedures. In the future, New Zealand hopes to work closely with other Member States to improve nuclear security worldwide by bolstering international frameworks, assisting with capacity- building initiatives, encouraging openness, and participating in cooperative exercises and discussions. New Zealand believes that by working together, the international community can guarantee the safe and secure use of nuclear technology, shielding all countries from the dangers of nuclear terrorism and promoting world peace.

Committee:	IAEA
Topic:	Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications
Paper text:
New Zealand firmly believes that when utilized responsibly, nuclear technology can aid sustainable growth, environmental preservation, and the improvement of public health. We emphasize that all nuclear operations must adhere to stringent safety regulations and that other Member States, particularly developing nations and small island governments facing sustainability challenges, are entitled to equal access to knowledge regarding nuclear energy. New Zealand has shown our dedication to peaceful nuclear applications by actively participating in several IAEA programs, funding radiation therapy training for medical personnel under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), facilitating safer and more efficient cancer treatment, and promoting sustainable food production by taking part in agricultural projects that use nuclear technology to increase crop yields and manage pests. Aligning with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, New Zealand supports the Atoms4Peace and Development Program by funding workshops and fellowships aimed at fostering technical knowledge among scientists from small island states and underdeveloped nations. To exchange knowledge and resources with other Member States, especially those developing, New Zealand encourages the establishment of regional nuclear scientific training facilities, as well as adherence to the IAEA Safety Standards Programme and the 1994 Convention on Nuclear Safety to ensure that nuclear operations are carried out responsibly. To promote safe and efficient uses of nuclear technology that improve environmental preservation, public health, and sustainable development, cooperation between academic institutions, governments, and business innovators is crucial. New Zealand calls on the international community to prioritize cooperation and honesty, enhance financing for training programs, and broaden access to nuclear knowledge. By accomplishing this, nuclear technology can be changed from a possible danger to a useful instrument for sustainable development, environmental protection, and human progress. To make sure these objectives are met, New Zealand remains dedicated to cooperating with the IAEA and fellow Member States.

Committee:	HSC-1994
Topic:	Peacekeeping and the United Nations
Paper text:
New Zealand is committed to the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping efforts. Since 1948, when Peacekeeping first began, New Zealand has contributed troops and personnel to over 20 UN Peacekeeping operations, including the UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia in 1989 and the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Yugoslavia in 1992, because we recognize the need for global security and stability. Within the increasingly connected and complex world, there have been numerous challenges to international rules, an emergence of strategic competition, and a rise in major interstate and intrastate conflicts. We continue to support Peacekeeping efforts because there is a need to maintain a rules-based international order. Therefore, UN Peacekeeping operations must prioritize ethical responsibility over strategic interests. UN Security Council (UNSC) Member States must remain neutral and independent during Peacekeeping deliberations for the UNSC to persist as the world’s prime authority for international peace and security. Before intervening, the UNSC should consider the international legal implications of proposed missions and examine potential alternatives to Peacekeeper presence and force to help fragile or post-conflict Member States. Since the establishment of the UN, Peacekeeping operations have evolved to further address humanitarian crises affecting civilians, rather than employing a centralized focus on conflicting states. This includes the evolution from missions primarily surveilling the status of cease-fire agreements and interstate wars to missions that employ measures of intrastate peacebuilding, civilian support, and establishing peaceful political processes. We believe Peacekeeping must continue to evolve to employ more Peacebuilding missions. Peacebuilding helps states recently ravaged by conflict, such as civil war and terrorism, avoid a relapse into domestic unrest. Peacebuilding utilizes preventative diplomacy, such as mediation and negotiation, strengthening international and state-capacity for conflict prevention, and promoting dialogue between international cultures. New Zealand remains committed to Peacekeeping efforts to maintain international peace and security.

Committee:	HSC-1994
Topic:	The Situation in Rwanda
Paper text:
New Zealand firmly believes that a solution must be sought to address the horrific situation occurring in Rwanda, where fighting and bloodshed have plagued the country for years. The UNSC needs to provide aid to Rwanda to establish sustainable peace within the country and the region. New Zealand supports UNSC Resolution 846 from June 1993, which established the UN Observer Mission between Uganda and Rwanda, and Resolution 891 (1993) to extend the Mission. We hope that this partnership will uncover the underlying causes of the situation and lead to peaceful resolutions. The Arusha Peace Agreement, signed in August 1993, was a first step toward peace in the region. However, within a few months of the signing, a resurgence of conflicts within Rwanda has left over 100,000 dead and hundreds of thousands of people displaced across the country and in surrounding Member States. UNSC Resolution 872 (1993), which established the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), is more critical than ever. The UN needs to institute a strong Peacekeeping presence to maintain peace and reduce the number of deaths and displacements in Rwanda. New Zealand holds that the UNSC needs to remain active, yet neutral, to properly address the atrocities in Rwanda. New Zealand advocates for the strengthening of UNAMIR so that Rwanda can have adequate support to address conflicts that may arise. New Zealand calls for continued UN action to avoid complacency that would inevitably lead to more conflict. The UNSC must leverage multilateral platforms to promote human rights, challenge global complacency, and uphold the moral responsibilities of international governance in Rwanda. We believe that groups must be legally held accountable for their actions. Otherwise, the situation in Rwanda will continue to deteriorate, and many more innocent people will die without UN intervention.

Committee:	HSC-1994
Topic:	The Situation in Somalia
Paper text:
The decline in domestic peace and governmental security within the Somali region following the collapse of the government of Siad Barre and subsequent civil war is an issue that demands immediate attention and prioritization by international peace operations. New Zealand recognizes the importance of upholding human rights, supporting the safe establishment of a secure government in Somalia, and advocating for disarmament in the conflicting region during this time of uncertainty. Following the institution of the UN Operation in Somalia (UNISOM I) in 1992, New Zealand has deployed 62 personnel to protect food convoys in the Somali region. Currently, following UNISOM II (1993), New Zealand’s military personnel have continued delivery of supplies through the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps and three aircrafts carrying additional supplies in Mogadishu, deployed by New Zealand’s Air Force. Recognizing UNSC Resolutions 794 (1992) and 837 (1993), which allow Member States to take all necessary measures to establish a secure environment for international peace operations in Somalia, New Zealand encourages fellow Member States to offer their support. The need for humanitarian assistance in this region cannot be ignored, and the current aid being supplied is continually under threat. In seeking to create long-term solutions, New Zealand recommends increasing aid distribution point security and calls for ground-level operations assisting in directly supplying civilians with aid. To facilitate the peaceful rebuilding of Somalia’s central government, New Zealand recommends a multi- faceted approach among Member States in accordance with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, in order to foster transparent dialogue about maintaining international peace. New Zealand advocates for increased collaboration among Member States to end conflict in the region through disarmament. With Member States working together during this time of uncertainty, we are hopeful that an amicable and peaceful solution to this conflict will be found.

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