Topic: 2026 – Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Samarth Kaukuntla
Ballistic missiles are one of the most important players in modern warfare, capable of delivering nuclear, chemical and biological Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and their proliferation poses a direct risk toward international peace and the preservation of humanity Multilateral agreements currently in place such as the Missile Technology Control Regime(MTCR) and Hague Code of Conduct(HCoC) exist to “restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles, and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogram payload at least 300 kilometres, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction,” as stated by the MTCR. As such, “It is Greece’s conviction that the international architecture of non-proliferation and disarmament must not only be maintained but also further enhanced,” as stated by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the Hellenic Republic, preventing the spread of ballistic missile technology is not only an issue of arms control but also a prerequisite for preserving international stability and preventing regional military escalation.
Greece supports multilateral efforts aimed at restricting the transfer of ballistic missiles and the associated technologies, as established by Operative Clauses 1 and 3 of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which obligates states from not supporting non-State actors in acquiring any technology that can aid in the delivery of WMDs, and to implement effective export controls. In addition, Greece is a proponent of export controls and enhancing cooperation between countries that have ballistic missile capabilities as outlined in the MTCR and the HCoC. In extension, Greece has and will continue to condemn any and all actions that violate international obligations related to missile development and testing. Following the ballistic missile testing by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(DPRK), the United Nations condemned the actions as outlined in Operative Clause 1 of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1695 and Operative Clause 1 of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which placed binding measures referencing Chapter VII, including restrictions on missile-related transfers. Greece aligned closely with the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) resolutions, as “The Foreign Ministry condemns the recent launching of ballistic missiles by the DPRK, an action that violates international legitimacy, defying the relevant Resolutions of the UN Security Council and escalating tensions in the region of East Asia,” as stated by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Greece fully supports the implementation of binding Security Council measures and emphasizes the importance of compliance with Chapter VII resolutions as essential to advancing the goals of DISEC and the integrity and authority of the international legal order.
Operating in a complex regional environment with neighboring states that are currently testing and developing ballistic weaponry, Greece maintains ballistic capabilities for defense and deterrence. Currently, Greece possesses Israel’s LORA missiles as part of a joint bilateral agreement between the two countries in response to geopolitical tensions in the Aegean Sea that stem from Türkiye’s Bora, Tayfun and Cenk missile systems. Consistent with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Greece affirms that these missiles serve strictly defensive purposes and has no intention of expanding its arsenal in a manner designed to increase regional tensions or serve the purpose of coercion, expansion, or provocation.
Greece fully supports UNSC resolutions that will further inhibit the proliferation of Nuclear Weaponry and views preventing proliferation to non-State actors as necessary for international peace and security. As such, Greece calls upon the international community for broader adherence to the MTCR and HCoC, increased transparency designed to foster trust and limit the growth of ballistic technology, and increased discussion within the UN framework to reduce the need for destabilizing missile acquisition while respecting legitimate defensive concerns. Greece further supports strengthening the implementation of UNSCR 1540 through the use of enhanced monitoring of Member States to ensure effective export control systems that properly inhibit proliferation. However, Greece also urges that any resolutions contain a definitive framework, verifiable mechanism and a clear plan of action that is legally enforceable in order to avoid any resolutions or courses of action that pose no benefit because of a lack of accountability. An example of a failure that stems from a lack of definitive frameworks is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons because it “does not make the necessary provisions for an incremental withdrawal of nuclear weapons, nor does it provide a verifiable mechanism that would oversee such an undertaking,” as stated by Greece in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons(ICANW). The Hellenic Republic, therefore, calls upon UN Member States of DISEC to prioritize legally binding, verifiable, and collectively enforced and measured frameworks that promote transparency, reinforce accountability, and ensure that non-proliferation efforts enhance, rather than undermine, international security.
Works Cited:
“Our Mission – MTCR.” Mtcr.info, 2016, mtcr.info/en/partners/our-mission.
“Non – Proliferation and Disarmament (Weapons of Mass Destruction) – Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 June 2024, www.mfa.gr/en/foreign-policy/global-issues/non-proliferation-and-disarmament-weapons-of-mass-destruction/.
“Foreign Ministry Announcement on the Launching of Ballistic Missiles by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2017, www.mfa.gr/en/foreign-ministry-announcement-on-the-launching-of-ballistic-missiles-by-the-democratic-peoples-republic-of-korea/.
“Greece.” ICANW, www.icanw.org/greece.
Maitre, Emmanuelle. “The HCoC and the Use of Ballistic Missiles in Conflict – HCoC.” HCoC, 13 Dec. 2024, www.nonproliferation.eu/hcoc/the-hcoc-and-the-use-of-ballistic-missiles-in-conflict/.
“Resolution 1540 (2004)” Un.org, 2025, docs.un.org/en/S/RES/1540(2004).
United Nations. “Disarmament.” United Nations, 2022, www.un.org/en/global-issues/disarmament.
