Position paper for South Africa
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours |
| Paper text: | |
| Outer Space has become congested, contested, and expansive. With over 20,000 objects orbiting the
earth, this concerns cosmic collisions. Also, the expansion of non-state actors in space is a growing
concern with the industry expecting to grow to 944 billion USD in 2033. This raises concerns for the
unregulated cooperation between non-state actors and governmental bodies. South Africa recognizes
these challenges but also realizes how space can be used to improve upon scientific research and
socio-economic development. Overall, outer space is a powerful resource available to governmental
bodies and non-state actors, but without the norms, rules, and principles changing to adapt to new
challenges, the international community risks magnified threats and the peaceful use of outer space.
South Africa has created its own space agency and worked with African Unions to improve upon our own resources, but also generating a stable and peaceful space community. South Africa created the South African National Space Agency in 2010 in order to strengthen the cooperation of space-related activities and foster research in space science. The Agency’s main focus is on Earth observations, space science, space engineering, and space operations. South Africa is also a member of the African Union Commission which produced an African Space Policy Document highlighting the principles for effective space programs which best fit the needs for the African Continent. In the document, the Commission lists two policy goals. The first is a well-coordinated space program responsible for the needs of the continent but also being globally competitive. The second is developing a regulatory framework that supports an African space program a responsible and peaceful use of space. With the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities of the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space being voluntary in nature, South Africa supports transforming the guidelines into more structured legal frameworks over time. With new technologies like lasers and potential threats like space debris becoming a problem, South Africa supports the establishment of principles regarding these problems which can become international law over time. Making sure that both governmental bodies and non-state actors are a part of the new principles regarding these issues is of utmost importance, to benefit both parties. South Africa believes to bolster international space law with emerging technologies requires the Outer Space Treaty to have a 5-year revision similar to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, there is a review of the operations of the treaty every 5 years. South Africa imagines a similar set-up with the Outer Space Treaty to be beneficial for new emerging space threats. As to the matter of non-state agents, creating a framework for legislation developed by the United Nations as it comes to private entities and international norms. This can be beneficial as the legislation can combat the unregulated nature of private entities in space. This allows for member states to follow international standards when updating their own laws as it pertains to private entities and space. UN-SPIDER has been an excellent resource for global access to disaster management as it pertains to space. South Africa believes access to UN-SPIDER’s data should be linked with the following of international space norms, while allowing support for developing countries to match these standards. South Africa envisions a future where space-based information like UN-SPIDER helps to contribute to sustainable development and peace. South Africa confirms its commitment to a more peaceful and sustainable future for outer space. With acknowledging both governmental bodies and non-state actors in treaty proposals and strengthening the cooperation of space agencies in both developed and developing nations, Member states can ensure that outer space is a peaceful, innovative, and equitable place. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects |
| Paper text: | |
| The issue of illicit small trading, which plagues many members of the United Nations, has been
addressed on numerous occasions by this governance, though despite efforts to eradicate the issue, it is
still ever prevalent. The General Assembly First Committee recognizes the concern associated with the
mass-scale black market of civilian-held firearms and is actively pursuing options to limit the flow of
unregulated guns and other munitions over international borders. The focus of the United Nations’ efforts
related to civilian firearms is to reduce the trafficking of undocumented handheld weaponry and to
prevent legally acquired firearms from being lost to the underground market. In 2001 on the UN’s war on
was crucially amplified during the Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All
Its Aspects. This conference established the Program of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the
Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapon, which works to provide “a comprehensive framework for
national regulation, international cooperation, and capacity-building to combat the illicit trade and misuse
of these weapons, which continue to fuel armed violence and instability in many parts of the world”
(United Nations, 2025). The establishment of this vital committee represented the official beginning of
combative action on arms trafficking, and it was succeeded by the formal enactment of the Firearms
Protocol, which is an obligatory countermeasure used to persecute illicit arms manufacturers and
traffickers and reduce the overall effects of the illegal weapon market. This protocol “provides for a
framework for States to control and regulate licit arms and arms flows, prevent their diversion into the
illegal circuit, facilitate the investigation and prosecution of related offences without hampering legitimate
transfers” (United Nations, n.d.). Reducing the immense flow of illicit firearms and diminishing illegal
arms manufacturers is an ongoing mission of the United Nations, and the General Assembly First
Committee is committed to furthering efforts to eradicate the issue.
Throughout recent years, the delegation of South Africa has been involved with and proposed actions to further the United Nations’ interest in reducing illegal firearms trade and to persecute those associated with the manufacturing and trafficking of said arms. In 2025, the nation of South Africa hosted a workshop that pledged a commitment to improve cooperation among African nations to counteract the black market of civilian weaponry as well as to promote gender responsive arms control. In this workshop, the South African delegation expressed the disproportionate effects that illegal firearms have on the African region and the importance of regional international collaboration to effectively persecute arms traffickers. Additionally, South Africa supported the stance that there must be “national efforts to integrate gender into small arms control, including awareness campaigns and policy reforms to curb gender-based violence and insecurity” (United Nations , 2025). This workshop demonstrated South Africa’s involvement with the illegal firearms issue and introduced a new aspect, that being gender responsiveness, and contributed greatly to the UN’s mission of eventually eliminating illegal arms dealing. Continuing the global discussion of how to resolve the ongoing issue of illicit arms trafficking, it is the official position of the nation of South Africa that international cooperation and formal regulation are critical. Following the establishment First Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, South African officials issued the following statement: “South Africa believes that the Treaty will, by regulating the legal trade in conventional weapons, seek to combat the illicit trade in these weapons, which exacerbates conflict and crime, especially in Africa” (The Arms Trade Treaty). This statement powerfully marks the opinion of the South African delegation on the importance of cooperation and litigation to mitigate civilian firearms trafficking. The nation of South Africa believes that it is of the utmost importance promoting gender -responsiveness to illegal firearm violence. This delegation recognizes that women, though they make up less than 20% of all legal and illegal firearm ownership they are disproportionately affected by gun violence (United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, 2025). This delegation deems the lack of gender consideration in the global conversation about disarmament and arms trafficking to be unacceptable and recognizes the importance of this issue. Having established the position of the Nation of South Africa and its emphasis on collaboration and gender-responsiveness, this delegation would like to propose a resolution to require all member nations to integrate gender-responsiveness analysis into their disarmament strategies and to additionally require them to report gender-responsive statistics in their reporting to the Office of Disarmament. This action would promote awareness of the disproportionate violence caused to women because of illegal weaponry and force internal national agencies to allocate resources specific to gender-responsiveness. This delegation would also like to propose the establishment of a new digital directory of disarmament research that nations must report to periodically. Currently, there is no set obligation of a nation to report critical findings on the flow of illegal firearms and their effects, or a set schedule for when data must be provided. This new directory would require all member nations to publish their findings biannually, thus ensuring all nations have reliable access to research of other members that can be used to improve combative efforts. Additionally, as part of this reporting, nations would be required to include gender statistics mandated by South Africa’s first proposed resolution. The establishment of an improved digital directory would allow for better collaboration in the effort to reduce illegal arms trading and promote research and findings related to the issue of gender responses. Overall, the proposed resolutions to promote gender-responsiveness and create an improved data directory would greatly improve the cooperation of member nations in fighting the effects of illegal arms trafficking and mitigating the capacity for the illegal arms market. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence |
| Paper text: | |
| Globalization has transformed economies, connected economies, cultures and technology at an
unprecedented speed. Although the numerous benefits of globalization, its has allowed many disparities
to occur between nations. For the Republic of South Africa, globalization has offered opportunities for
both growth and challenges to its economic sovereignty. The General Assembly’s Second Committee will
play a vital role in ensuring globalization fosters sustainable and equitable development.
The United Nations has introduced and led countless programs to ensure globalization is intime with sustainable development. Two initiatives include the Monterrey Consensus of 2002 and the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development of 2008. These two initiatives emphasized international cooperation and fair trade. Despite these efforts, many structural inequalities exist. South Africa realizes globalization is needed for inclusive growth, yet it must be managed within ideas of fairness and mutual benefit. The delegation believes the UN must also reinforce the principle that development is for all. This is to ensure developing economies are not marginalized. South Africa supports reform of international financial institutions, which will give equitable voices to emerging countries and their economies. We will advocate for industrial diversity, the transfer of technology, and investment into infrastructure. In our own country, we have created the National Development Plan 2030, which aligns with the UN’s goals, and it prioritizes industrial growth, economic inclusion, and the reduction of poverty. The Delegation of South Africa proposes establishing a Global Development plan that has a way to measure equity. This will evaluate the development impacts of trade and finance polices on South Africa, and its neighboring countries. We also want to strengthen digital infrastructure and skills training within developing nations, which will ensure to reduce the technology gap in those nations. It is vital to create equitable policy and ensure it is actually working. The United Nations has plans enacted to ensure this occurs, but with our resolutions being incorporated, this dream will become a reality. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind |
| Paper text: | |
| Climate change poses an imminent threat to human security and biodiversity. This pressing issue
demands collective global action, which will help to safeguard our planet for present and future
generations. The Republic of South Africa heavily depends on natural resources, and we are also
vulnerable to climate impacts, and so we recognize the responsibility to combat climate change, but also
the limitations we face in doing so alone.
The United Nations has taken many steps to ensure the world targets climate change., through the United Nations Framework Convention of 1992 and the Paris Agreement of 2015, initiatives have been going on for decades. These initiatives establish global emission targets, mechanisms for sustainable development and funding for such causes. Through these frameworks, developing nations will be aided to turn their economies towards lower-carbon usage. Although larger economies are also targeted, financial hardships remain. Unequal access to climate technology remains prevalent, and this hurts South Africa and its neighbors in implementing the ideas. The South African Delegation supports the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and urges other countries to do the same. We empathize that while all nations share the duty to act, those who have done greater damage in the past, should be responsible for greater efforts to mitigate their effects. They also have a larger role in financial support. South Africa is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through its Just Energy Transition Investment Plan. The JETP aims to shift from coal as an energy resource, to renewable energy sources. We will do this while also protecting workers rights and safety and at-risk communities. South Africa introduces resolutions that will increase check-ins of developed nations’ financial commitments towards the Paris Agreement. We must ensure there is equity, as those with more should do more. We also want to propose a climate technology program, which partners countries together to facilitate green technology and the transfer of it to developing nations. With the scope of the United Nations, we must target the marginalized. The Delegation of South Africa reaffirms its commitment to preserving our planet. This must be achieved through sustainable development and respecting the environment. The United Nations remains a crucial part to ensure climate action though justice and equity, which will preserve our planet for the future. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination |
| Paper text: | |
| South Africa has been a diplomatic force for the region sense 1994, attempting to keep the peace in the
area. Regarding the universal realization of the right peoples to self-determination, South African
recognizes the right of all people to create their own destiny and to pursue their own economic
development for their country. Additionally, they emphasize national unity within countries and reject
segregation.
Having been granted independence with guidance and support from the United Nations, South Africa is in support of the United Nations helping other countries in their own self-determination. They have continually and consistently advocated for the rights of countries undergoing occupation as South Africa was in that position until 1910 and then still struggled for full independence until 1961 when South Africa was freed from the British Commonwealth. In the Freedom Charter of South Africa, which was adopted in 1955, it is stated that, “South Africa shall be a fully independent state which respects the rights and sovereignty of all nations.” To further help countries seeking self-determination in addition to other international issues, South Africa believes there should be a more representative and inclusive Security Council as there is a historical imbalance of power in the UNSC. The permanent membership is still reflective of the global power dynamics of 1945, which causes Africa to be excluded from this high-profile decision making. South Africa argues that with a more inclusive approach to the security council, it will be better suited to handle disputes that come with self-determination. We believe that this unequal representation is a factor that hinders the international community. With the continents of Asia, Europe, and North America having a permanent place in the UNSC and South America, Africa, and Oceania having only rotating places, an unequal power distribution is created. South Africa, being a prominent player in Africa, believe that they should have a permanent place on the council as they are better suited to deal with issues, such as violence from self-determination, that are occurring within Africa. It is believed within the country that if there was equal representation, the UNSC would continue to remain relevant and be able to help new countries emerge more efficiently. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas |
| Paper text: | |
| South Africa has many disparities between genders. Women in the country are known to face economic
inequalities, patriarchal attitudes, implementation gaps, lack of services and the biggest problem,
gender-based violence (GBV). Gender-based violence has become such a large issue in the country
that the South African government has been focusing on how to decrease this rate rather than on
women and girls in rural areas. Although the constitution of South Africa does state how they believe in
gender equality and attempt to protect the rights of women, gender-based violence has been high for
the last ten years but spiked higher during the pandemic.
In response to these issues, South Africa has been working to improve the situation and decrease the
GBV rates through actions such as legislative reforms, establishing a ninety-day acceleration program,
and implementing support services for the women how have experienced this violence. South Africa
believes that official and administrative evidence-based data is needed to help close the gender gap.
South Africa believes that the UN can help close this gender gap by strengthening their support from the already existing gender equality efforts, and by including women in on important decision-making roles. Additional South Africa believes that looking inward and making improvements to prevent the femicide that has been plaguing the country will further improve their ability to help women outside of urban areas. This can be done through open conversations between groups, getting more traditionalist lawmakers to change their perspectives, involving both men and women in these conversations so both perspectives are represented, and simply allowing their citizens to continue advocating on behalf of women’s rights. While South Africa isn’t fully ready to address the issue of women and girls in rural areas, they are still open to these conversations. It is simply believed by delegates that they cannot focus on rural areas when there are so many problems with urban areas currently. However, hopefully in the coming years, in South Africa gender-based violent rates will decline and allow the government to focus on the disparities that women and girls specifically in rural areas face. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Our ocean, our future, our responsibility |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of South Africa strongly supports the goal of “Our ocean, our future, our responsibility.” The country of South Africa greatly relies on the ocean, as it is central in many key industries in the nation, such as fisheries, shipping, energy and coastal tourism. They must be managed responsibly to balance economic growth with conservation. Through Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy, South Africa is expanding sustainable ocean industries while protecting biodiversity. The nation as designated 42 marine protected areas, covering roughly 15.5% of its waters, guarding the ecosystem important to the culture and lifestyle. Regionally South Africa cooperates with African Union and Southern African Development community (SADC) to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote ocean regulation. Globally, South Africa has shown action by singing the High Seas Treaty, demonstrating commitment to protecting marine biodiversity beyond its national borders. South Africa believes the responsibility to protect the ocean must be shared by all nations, can calls for stronger UN mechanisms to hold both states and corporations accountable for marine damage. By prioritizing sustainable economic use, environmental protection and connection to the ocean, South Africa aims to ensure that ocean resources remain a foundation for development. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations |
| Paper text: | |
| The delegation of the Republic of South Africa recognizes the crucial role of the United Nations in
coordinating emergency assistance in times of disaster, conflict, and other crises. As emergencies
increase in frequency and intensity, we believe there is a need for global coordinated responses to
mitigate the human impact of these disasters. South Africa faces a range of challenges, including
poverty, food insecurity, disease outbreak, and migration-related issues. The Southern Africa region is
often affected by disasters, demonstrating the need for effective, well-coordinated humanitarian action.
South Africa believes that improving the ability of the United Nations and related organizations to
coordinate humanitarian aid will ensure that aid is delivered efficiently and in alignment with the
organization’s long-term plans.
South Africa has supported and actively worked within the African Union and Southern African Development Community to strengthen disaster preparedness and humanitarian coordination. The AU humanitarian policy framework and SADC Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy both emphasize cooperation within the United Nations in responding to regional emergencies (SADC, 2023). South Africa has also partnered with the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs to improve early warning systems and ensure that humanitarian responses are neutral and effective (OCHA, 2024). Domestically, the National Development Plan prioritized building resilience, disaster risk management, and social protection, aligning goals with the UN framework on humanitarian coordination (National Planning Commission, 2012). | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Nuclear security |
| Paper text: | |
| In August of 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
These events forced Japan to surrender, ending World War II. In the aftermath, the Cold War led to the
further development of nuclear weapons, and the United States and Soviet Union increased their
arsenals, leading to international concern for security and control. At the same time, the international
community began to harness nuclear energy safely. In 1968, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) aimed
to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful nuclear cooperation. Over time,
concerns about nuclear theft, sabotage, and terrorism grew, particularly after the end of the Cold War
and especially after the September 11, 2001, attacks. The threat of nuclear terrorism became more
prominent and nuclear security gained urgent international attention once again after the A.Q. Khan
network, was involved in illicit nuclear technology transfers, and other terrorist networks shown
vulnerabilities in nuclear materials protection.
The International Atomic Energy Agency began expanding its role in nuclear security, launching the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan in 2002, and coordinating global efforts through guidance, training, and capacity- building. This effort was reinforced by the Nuclear Security Summits, which brought world leaders together in order to secure nuclear materials and reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism. The agency established legal, technical, and institutional foundations for nuclear security, including the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its Amendment, as well as the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. After September eleventh, the agency expanded focus to not just securing nuclear material and facilities, but also preventing theft, sabotage, and malicious use of radioactive sources. It increased its advisory and evaluation missions, and promoted systems for accounting and control. The Nuclear Security Plan 2022 2025 was implemented, offering technical assistance and capacity building to States, helping with legal instrument ratification, providing detection equipment, supporting monitoring, and safeguards. It coordinates with partners to strengthen the global framework. South Africa is a strong proponent of nuclear security and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, firm non proliferation commitments, and regulatory oversight. The country voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program in the early 1990s, as agreed in theNuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. South Africa implements comprehensive safeguards with the IAEA, and supports universal adherence to instruments like the Additional Protocol. At the same time, South Africa affirms its sovereign right to develop nuclear energy for developments such as energy security, medical, agricultural, and industrial applications, as long as this does not compromise international safety and security norms. The country has adopted measures including, strengthening regulatory and forensics capabilities, and adhering to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and related legal instruments. South Africa reaffirms the right of nation to peaceful nuclear energy under Article IV of the NPT. The country condemns the threat and use of nuclear material for hostile purposes. South Africa supports the continuation of international cooperation through IAEC safeguards and peer reviews. South Africa reaffirms the commitment to nuclear disbarment, non-prolific action, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. South Africa calls for greater collaboration between national regulatory bodies and the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as enhanced cooperation on nuclear security through IAEA safeguards and peer reviews to enhance nuclear security systems. South Africa encourages the sharing of best practices and technology for the protection of nuclear materials and facilities, especially against threats of nuclear terrorism and illicit trafficking. South Africa encourages all member states to ratify and implement The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and the amendment, International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications |
| Paper text: | |
| In the late 19th and early 20 centuries, nuclear discovery began with the discovery of radioactivity by
Henri Becquerel and the groundbreaking work of scientists like Marie and Pierre Curie. In the 1930s, the
development of nuclear fission laid the groundwork for nuclear energy and weapons, resulting in the
creation and use of atomic bombs during World War II. Post-war, nuclear energy began being harvested
for power to better people’s lives. At the same time the Cold War brought attention to the need for
peaceful uses of nuclear energy, leading to the establishment of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) in 1957 to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. Since, nuclear
science has expanded beyond power generation, with uses in medicine, such as cancer radiotherapy
and diagnostic imaging, agriculture, industry, and environmental monitoring. These technologies have
become vital tools in global efforts to address challenges in health, food security, water management,
and climate change.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has established key frameworks, such as the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. It has long collaborated with agencies like the FAO through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, applying nuclear techniques in agriculture, food safety, and pest control. More recently, the IAEA modernized laboratories under initiatives ReNuAL and ReNuAL2, culminating in the creation of the Curie-Meitner Nuclear Applications Centre, which supports work in plant genetics, radiochemistry, and environmental monitoring. The IAEA launched global programs such as Atoms4Food, to enhance food security, ZODIAC, for early detection of zoonotic diseases, and Rays of Hope, improving cancer care in low-resource settings. The IAEA continues to support countries starting or expanding nuclear power, through technical cooperation projects like INT2024. The IAEA also has collaboration agreements with national institutions to build and designates Collaborating Centres to advance nuclear science and training. In 2025, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency signed Practical Arrangements with IAEA focused on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Power and Non Power uses. The General Conference adopted resolutions to strengthen IAEA’s activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications. The IAEA has early notification and cross border consultations due to the technical application of nuclear science in reactor safety and emergency response, such as the Decay Energy Spectrometry. South Africa fully supports strengthening the International Atomic Energy Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology, and applications. The country’s policy emphasizes that all members have the right to access and use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes in accordance with Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. South Africa advocated for balanced and inclusive approaches that internationally prioritize the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Technical Cooperation Program, support regional frameworks like AFRA, and promotes fair access to applications in health, agriculture, water management, and environmental monitoring, especially across Africa. The country aligns this with its national development goals through initiatives like the Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) and support for isotope production, with nuclear science as a key source to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). South Africa insists nuclear safty and security must not become barriers to peaceful use. South Africa calls for “sufficient, assured and predictable” funding for the Technical Cooperation Programme to allow developing countries to benefit from peaceful nuclear uses, and to ensure IAEA activities are not politicized and remain focused on development, innovation, and capacity building. South Africa also proposes enhancing peaceful nuclear applications in health and agriculture by promoting wider deployment of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine in developing countries and strengthening programs like Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action and Nuclear Applications in Food and Agriculture, which are vital for addressing food security and health threats. There needs to be education and training in the nuclear field, that is why South Africa proposes the regional centers for nuclear education, research, and training in collaboration with IAEA and local universities. Digital knowledge- sharing platforms and virtual learning initiatives need to be created alongside the education centers to bridge educational gaps. The IAEA should play a stronger role in supporting Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and innovative nuclear technologies for clean, sustainable, and reliable energy generation, particularly in energy-insecure regions. That is why South Africa calls for collaboration with the IAEA to assist countries in developing comprehensive nuclear energy infrastructure through the Milestones Approach.South Africa endorses and supports the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme and encourages expansion to ensure more women can enter the nuclear field. | |
| Committee: | CND |
| Topic: | Promoting alternative development as a development-oriented drug control strategy that is sustainable and inclusive |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of South Africa’s challenges implementing sustainable alternative development strategies
to combat the cultivation and distribution of illegal drugs highlight the need to strengthen and edit the UN
Guiding Principles on Alternative Development (UN GPAD) to address this problem pragmatically and
with diverse communities in mind. South Africa’s experience emphasizes that policy must expand past
rural crop substitution and address the socioeconomic causes of substance abuse and drug-related
activity.
South Africa’s reliance on punitive measures, which typically punishes users rather than traffickers, illustrates the inefficiency and social harm of traditional approaches (Permanent Mission of South Africa, 2024). Punitive solutions are financially burdensome and ostracize vulnerable populations. In contrast, the Community Oriented Substance Use Programme (COSUP) in South Africa's City of Tshwane has proven successful by partnering with local governments, maximizing community funding, and offering accessible harm-reduction services (Shelly, 2022). It is essential for Member States to cooperate and support one another in adopting alternative development. Providing financial aid, technical expertise, and coordination within existing UN frameworks can help Member States implement sustainable solutions. Aligning drug control efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can create integrated, inclusive frameworks that reduce illicit cultivation and trade. To shift from punitive to preventive policies, Member States should pursue flexible, locally driven programs that focus on economic empowerment and community resilience. Redirecting resources from costly enforcement to sustainable livelihoods and education can reduce reliance on the drug trade while promoting long-term social and economic stability. | |
| Committee: | CND |
| Topic: | Promoting comprehensive and scientific evidence-based early prevention |
| Paper text: | |
| South Africa recognizes that addressing substance use requires integrated, science-based, prevention
strategies. As a nation profoundly affected by drug-related activity, South Africa emphasizes the
importance of coordinated international efforts that align with both the UN Guiding Principles on
Alternative Development (UN GPAD) and the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention (United
Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 2024).
South Africa advocates for embedding prevention policies within national public health frameworks rather than relying on isolated or punitive interventions. This means prioritizing community-based programs that have proven effective in reducing substance use. Programs such as the Community Oriented Substance Use Programme (COSUP) demonstrate how collaboration among local governments and health services produce sustainable, pragmatic outcomes (Shelly, 2022). To strengthen prevention, Member States should share research findings, technical expertise, and best practices to promote interventions that are cost-effective, evidence-driven, and tailored to diverse community needs (Renström, Ferri, & Mandil, 2017). South Africa supports the integration of prevention efforts across sectors such as healthcare, justice systems, social development efforts, and education, ensuring a unified and inclusive international response. In alignment with SDG 3.5, South Africa urges Member States to treat drug prevention as a public health priority through capacity building, continuous evaluation, and early intervention initiatives like CHAMPS (Children Amplified Prevention Services) (Renström, 2017). Such approaches strengthen youth resilience, improve education and life skills, and address underlying social risk factors (United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 2024). Ultimately, South Africa calls upon the international community to promote equitable, non-discriminatory drug policies and to support low and middle-income countries in building sustainable frameworks for prevention. Through cross-sectoral cooperation and shared global commitment, Member States can advance a comprehensive, humane, and development-oriented response to the world drug problem. | |
| Committee: | COI-2005 |
| Topic: | Commission of Inquiry on Darfur |
| Paper text: | |
| Of paramount importance to ascertaining the nature and severity of the dangers and/or crimes occurring
in Darfur is determining whether genocide is occurring in the region. With this information, UN members
states and non-governmental organizations can better understand how to prevent further atrocities in
Darfur and begin security/recovery operations in the area. To ascertain the nature of the crisis in Darfur,
the Commission of Historical Inquiry must bring several community leaders and/or international
advocates for the people of Darfur to get their firsthand account and on-the-ground assessment of the
crisis. It may be difficult to locate and bring such representatives to the commission for consultation so
the review of reports, messages, photographs, and videos from multiple parties in Darfur may stand in
for this direct testimony in the commission’s review. Additionally, the commission should seek to consult
officials within the Sudanese Government and military forces carrying out operations in Darfur to
understand their perspective on events. Aid groups attempting to administer aid and humanitarian
assistance in the area must also be consulted by the commission to understand the threats they face
and the events they are witnessing in Darfur.
The commission must consult experts from the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, as well as officials from the African Union that can provide valuable insights into the definition of genocide and what genocide can look like on the African continent. Genocide scholars must also be consulted to understand the mechanics of a possible extermination in Darfur and to ensure the historical record, and the future actions it motivates, remain accurate and truthful. Regarding the historic crisis in East Timor, it is similarly important to the fact-finding, and report-writing, mission of the Historical Commission of Inquiry to explore bringing a diverse set of experts and individuals with first-hand experience with the crisis to provide their insights and analysis. The commission must consult experts in international law, potentially justices or other senior officials in the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court, to understand the legal/political nature of the situation in East Timor and what future actions could look like for the UN in addressing and reconciling lingering issues. To better understand on-the-ground issues surrounding this crisis outside of an international legal- political perspective, the commission must interview/consult Indonesian government officials directly involved in the military operations, referendum, and subsequent violence across East Timor. To understand the other side of this crisis, the commission must consult citizen and community leaders from East Timor, as well as the nascent state’s political leadership which can effectively articulate the lasting scars from the violence on the state and its people. To capture a UN perspective, the commission must also consult leaders in the United Nations Mission in East Timor and the International Force in East Timor to understand their perspective on the crisis and what they witnessed to be effective security and reconciliation techniques. | |
| Committee: | COI-2005 |
| Topic: | Commission of Experts to Review the Prosecution of Serious Violations of Human Rights in Timor-Leste (then East Timor) in 1999 |
| Paper text: | |
| Regarding the historic crisis in East Timor, it is similarly important to the fact-finding, and report-writing,
mission of the Historical Commission of Inquiry to explore bringing a diverse set of experts and
individuals with first-hand experience with the crisis to provide their insights and analysis. The
commission must consult experts in international law, potentially justices or other senior officials in the
International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court, to understand the legal/political nature
of the situation in East Timor and what future actions could look like for the UN in addressing and
reconciling lingering issues.
To better understand on-the-ground issues surrounding this crisis outside of an international legal- political perspective, the commission must interview/consult Indonesian government officials directly involved in the military operations, referendum, and subsequent violence across East Timor. To understand the other side of this crisis, the commission must consult citizen and community leaders from East Timor, as well as the nascent state’s political leadership which can effectively articulate the lasting scars from the violence on the state and its people. To capture a UN perspective, the commission must also consult leaders in the United Nations Mission in East Timor and the International Force in East Timor to understand their perspective on the crisis and what they witnessed to be effective security and reconciliation techniques. | |
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