Topic: 2026 – Verification of Disarmament
Country: Belarus
Delegate Name: Sofia Bontomasi
The Republic of Belarus believes that verification of disarmament is an important matter that must gain consent from individual countries in order to uphold national sovereignty in order to protect sensitive national security information yet still foster a community of peace.
One key position Belarus holds regarding the verification of disarmament is the importance of transparency balanced with national sovereignty. This is mainly demonstrated through Belarus’s support for internationally recognized verification mechanisms that operate under mutual consent and established legal frameworks, such as UN-led or treaty-based verification processes. In this case, transparency serves as the tool that builds trust between states while respecting their right to control sensitive security information. Belarus believes verification should enhance confidence and stability rather than be used to exert political pressure, and therefore emphasizes cooperation and equal treatment of all participating states in verification regimes.
Another position Belarus emphasizes is the need for non-discriminatory and universally applied verification standards. This is seen through Belarus’s support for multilateral disarmament agreements where all parties are subject to the same rules, obligations, and inspection procedures. In this example, fairness is the motivating factor. Belarus argues that selective or unequal verification undermines trust and discourages participation in disarmament efforts. States are more likely to comply when verification mechanisms are applied evenly and are not influenced by political bias or power dynamics. As a result, Belarus advocates for verification systems that are transparent, impartial, and collectively agreed upon within the United Nations.
A final position Belarus takes is that effective verification must be paired with dialogue and confidence-building measures. This is mainly demonstrated through Belarus’s support for information sharing, reporting mechanisms, and diplomatic engagement alongside technical verification tools. In this case, cooperation is the driving principle. Belarus views verification not as an end in itself, but as part of a broader process aimed at reducing mistrust and preventing conflict. In contrast, verification measures that are imposed without dialogue are seen as confrontational and counterproductive. Belarus therefore supports verification of disarmament that strengthens international cooperation and contributes to long-term global and regional security.
Belarus believes that in order to foster international cooperation transparency is key; however, this must be balanced with respect for national sovereignty. Dialogue is also the best method of assuring compliance as forced verification is aggressive and harmful. Thus when discussing methods of verification, it is important to keep these conditions in mind.
