Topic: Conflict Commodities
Country: Holy See
Delegate Name: Andrew Suciu
School: Dearborn High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Holy See position papers GLIMUN 2007 committees
The Holy See has been a promoter of peace all over the world for centuries. The Vatican believes that the world was meant to live in peace and all things associated with conflict should be addressed and resolved. The conflicts involving conflict commodities are a component of unrest and the struggle for peace. In particular, the conflicts in Africa are a main concern. These conflicts are funded by natural resources along with drugs and contraband. The political and military conflict in Africa that is being funded by ‘conflict commodities’ also directly affects the civilian population. Refugees are being displaced, and people are fleeing their homes. The Holy See sees this as a major problem that needs to be solved for the sake of the innocent people harmed by this ongoing issue. The Holy See urges the world to consider the serious issues and implications of conflict commodities.
The Holy See believes that the problem at hand is indeed conflict commodities, however, the root of this evil is found in the actual conflict. Commodities are not illegal and can be traded among peoples and countries, however the nature of the conflicts and the nature of the value of diamonds, timber, and cocaine, for example, are being used as funding, and the middle man of banks and brokers, are being removed from the equation. The Holy See is urging peace between African nations. Peace talks should be the first step, as well as policing the trade of diamonds and tracking “blood diamonds” on the market. The elimination of “blood diamonds” would greatly reduce the money value of the conflict diamonds that are being sold on the market after being used as funds for a conflict that displaces innocent people and causes civilian casualties.
The Holy See is urging the countries and delegates of the United Nations to join together in the effort to establish peace and reach a resolution. The Holy See views this issue as a grave concern and strongly urges the other nations to take this matter seriously and support a resolution in any way possible. The Holy See wishes to address this issue and come to a resolution that will police the conflict commodities, and establish peace between warring nations and entities.
