DISARMAMENT & INTERNATIONAL
SECURITY COMMITTEE
The First Committee deals with disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace that affect the international community and seeks out solutions to the challenges in the international security regime. It considers all disarmament and international security matters within the scope of the Charter or relating to the powers and functions of any other organ of the United Nations; the general principles of cooperation in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as principles governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments; promotion of cooperative arrangements and measures aimed at strengthening stability through lower levels of armaments.
Topic 1: Addressing the Impact of the Military Contractor’s Lobby on the National Security
The defence industry is among sectors most vulnerable to the negative effects of lobby. The strong and profitable nature of defence contracting gives the companies significant sway over national affairs and access to substantial income. Such companies heavily utilise their influence on decisions of policymakers regarding defence or other legislation to maximise their benefits.
This enormous power is generally concentrated in the hands of few large defence contractors and it is only growing stronger with continuing lobby efforts. Such a situation can lead to preference of interest of the private sector over the interest of public security, restraining of public tender in the defence industry to economically unhealthy levels, and damaging national defence capabilities.
Topic 2: Strengthening Accountability for Arms Embargo Violations
During the last decade, the United Nations imposed 13 arms embargoes, all of which were eventually violated by the parties involved in the conflicts. Only a small number of violators were properly prosecuted for their actions. One of the main causes of this failure is the inability of the United Nations Sanctions Committees to effectively enforce the embargoes. The organisation relies heavily on member states to monitor and enforce such regulations, which often proves ineffective, as these states are frequently involved in the conflicts themselves.
The situation calls for a more systematic solution, potentially involving intervention by the International Court of Justice or the Security Council, with a strong emphasis not only on enforcement but also on investigating instances of arms embargo violations.
Country Matrix: France, China, Russia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Sudan, Israel, Palestine (observer), Senegal, Ukraine, Türkiye, Sweden, Spain, Syria, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Germany, Mali, Colombia, Egypt, Yemen, Iran, Belarus, Afghanistan