Position Paper

Name Committee Country Topic : : : : Tay Ching Sheng IAEA Portugal Nuclear and WMD Non-Proliferation

Since the end of the Cold War, there has been an overall decrease in the threat of nuclear weapons use. Portugal would like to consider making the prevention of nuclear weapons more effective to stop the potential demoralizing effects in the world. Portugal notes the world has also experienced a proliferation of regional conflicts and armed hostilities and witnessed a trend leading to the spread and destabilizing accumulation of sophisticated weapons including weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. Portugal currently consists of no nuclear power plants and has legally restricted the possibility of building a nuclear power plant on their territory for the purposes of preventing and bringing about change within the countries. Portugal does not posses any weapons of mass destruction. Portugal was one of the countries of the European Parliament who launched the total ban on nuclear weapons and marking the 40th anniversary of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Non-Proliferation Treaty, (NPT) was based upon three categories: nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and the civil use of nuclear energy. The NPT was proposed by Ireland and Finland, and got majority of the countries to sign this treaty, while at same time other countries refused to sign the NPT. India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel have openly agreed of possessing nuclear energy and weapons within their countries. Portugal is a strong supporter of the Comprehension Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, (CTBT) which bans all nuclear explosions in all environments. Portugal has been a State party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) since 13 January 1993, to Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BTWC) since 29 June 1972. Portugal would like the remaining countries to ratify the treaty without farther delay. If this treaty is placed into effect, then it will help create the necessary negotiations in drafting a fissile material cut off treaty. The Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (NWFZ) is an agreement that the United States and the United Nations has agreed that a group of states may establish a treaty to ban to usage, development and deployment of nuclear weapons in given areas. Five such areas, zones exist today, in which four are on the covered throughout the Southern Hemisphere. These areas under the Nuclear Weapon Free Zone include: Latin America, The South Pacific, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central Asia. The establishment of this Treaty is to strengthen global nuclear proliferation and disarmament norms and consolidate international effects towards peace and security. Another troubling issue is the Iranian Nuclear Program which allows the creation of nuclear power plant. Iran has announced that it is working on several research sites containing to Uranium mines and processing facilities.

In relation to terrorism, Portugal in favor to the possible use of Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS). Israel took note of last year's resolution that provided guidelines for measures to prevent the unauthorized proliferation of MANPADS. Portugal is a supporter of resolution A/C.1/65/L.29, which reaffirms support for the United Nations framework and international cooperation to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and materials and technologies related to their manufacture.

Portugal is strongly in favor reinforcing and revalidating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Portugal believes that this is necessary in order to protect the safety of other countries as well as the protection of its own country. Portugal would like to force an early entry of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty through the ratification of the 44 states that remain yet to sign and ratify for the sole purpose of the treaty to enter and enforce. Portugal comes with a non-nuclear and peace loving country in returning for a favorable success. Portugal hopes that other countries will come in favor and comply with this uprising situation of nuclear weapons and WMD that can potentially affect not only Portugal, but other countries as well.