Example White Paper #1

SPECPOL

Iraq

Topic A: Ensuring the Safety of Atomic Production

James Smith

American High School

Historically, Iraq has pursued nuclear power as a means to remedy the crippling power outages that plague the majority of the country. Although Iraq is not currently pursuing nuclear power, we are in a unique position to testify about the effect of UN intervention in nuclear programs. Under the presidency of Saddam Hussein, Iraq pursued a nuclear program, which faced staunch opposition from Western powers, namely the United States. Because of this opposition, Iraq was faced with consistent, harsh inspections of its facilities by the UN. Despite the existence of an Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission, these inspections still occurred. They completely hampered Iraq’s ability to pursue nuclear power as a viable option. A key ability of this committee is to determine the regulations and subsequent enforcement of regulations on nuclear power. With nuclear power having a much lower barrier of entry than it historically had, many nations now look to nuclear power as a cheap source of energy. With this rise in nuclear power use, proper regulations must be put in place to ensure both the economic prosperity of countries and the proper safety of these facilities.

Iraq believes that regulation and enforcement of nations’ nuclear safety should be left to their respective governments, with support and guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Overzealous regulation can completely obstruct a country’s path toward nuclear energy, and Iraq strongly believes that self-regulation, with guidance and oversight, is the most effective method to aid countries in their path toward nuclear energy. From its nuclear program in the 1980s, completely halted by foreign intervention and bombing, to plans of building new reactors in the next decade to tackle Iraq’s power outages, Iraq is in a prime position to discuss the proper course of action to regulate nuclear power. Iraq has its own Atomic Energy Commission which supervises and presides over plans for nuclear energy, and already has strong mandates about how nuclear power is maintained and used. This places Iraq in a prime position to construct a robust and actionable plan on how the UN should approach nuclear regulation.

In aiming to support the transition of not only Western powers, but developing countries to nuclear power, this committee must focus on the balance of sufficient nuclear regulation and oversight on an international level to not hinder the production and use of nuclear power, but rather to guide and support it. To this end, Iraq believes resolutions should emphasize three key areas: one, developing and aiding in the establishment of nuclear energy commissions run by the individual country that is developing nuclear power. Secondly, continued guidance and supervision of the national agencies that supervise nuclear power in the development of new nuclear reactors, and in maintaining current reactors. Thirdly, supporting the nuclear programs of countries monetarily, aiding the transition to nuclear energy, and ensuring that all countries, regardless of economic status, can safely continue production of nuclear energy.