Topic: 2026 – Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles
Country: Belarus
Delegate Name: Sofia Bontomasi
The Republic of Belarus is one of the original subscribing states to the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) as well as upholding major UN non-proliferation measures, such as UN Security Council Resolution 1540; however, Belarus also believes that sovereignty and national security are vital to uphold.
One key position Belarus holds regarding ballistic missile proliferation is support for nonproliferation through international norms rather than legally binding restrictions. Belarus promotes transparency, confidence-building measures, and voluntary restraint through its participation in the HCOC. Transparency is the central mechanism and encourages Belarus to share information on missile activities while maintaining its sovereignty over defense decisions. By supporting these voluntary measures, Belarus represents itself as a committed member of the international community dedicated to reducing the risks associated with ballistic missile proliferation without accepting obligations it views as restrictive or unequal.
A second belief that shapes Belarus’s stance is its emphasis on national and regional security considerations. With the current war in Ukraine, Eastern Europe is quite unstable and Belarus aims to ensure its safety as well as continue regional cooperation. Thus individual regional variables are crucial details to take into account. This is yet another reason why international norms rather than legally binding agreements are a better method of upholding non proliferation of ballistic missiles.
Another important position Belarus emphasizes at the United Nations is the principle of state sovereignty in addressing ballistic missile proliferation. This is mainly demonstrated through Belarus’s consistent support for dialogue-based and consensus-driven approaches within UN forums rather than punitive measures such as sanctions or unilateral pressure. In this case, sovereignty acts as the guiding principle and motivates Belarus to oppose actions it views as infringing on a state’s right to self-defense and independent policy-making. Belarus argues that missile proliferation concerns should be addressed through cooperation, transparency, and mutual trust rather than coercion. In contrast, approaches that rely on sanctions or enforcement mechanisms are seen by Belarus as escalating tensions and undermining international stability, which reinforces its preference for diplomatic solutions within the UN framework.
Belarus believes that ballistic missiles pose a threat to the international community; however, when discussing non proliferation, many factors such as regional factors and state sovereignty must be taken into consideration when making decisions for the entire international community.
