Topic: 2025 – No First Use Policies and Nuclear Disarmament
Country: Slovenia
Delegate Name: Sam Lewis
General Assembly – DISEC
No First Use Policies and Nuclear Disarmament
Slovenia
Sam Lewis
Since World War II, the existence of nuclear weapons has been a major source of global concern. The Cold War era was a time that made people scared of a nuclear war, and therefore, countries like the US and Russia made their nuclear arsenals as large as possible. “No First Use” is when a state assures not to use nuclear weapons unless attacked first. In fact, only China and India have formally adopted this stance. The majority of NATO members, including Slovenia’s allies, are opposed to the No First Use policy as they believe it undermines their security.
Slovenia is a small country without nuclear weapons. Slovenia is in favor of disarmament and is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Slovenia has cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is committed to implementing measures that ensure nuclear energy is used only for peaceful purposes. Besides, Slovenia joined the European Atomic Energy Community. While Slovenia was the EU Council president in 2021, it hosted conferences on disarmament and non-proliferation. Slovenia is convinced that the elimination of nuclear weapons is the surest way to have peace and security.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) came about through the efforts of the United Nations, but Slovenia chose not to sign it due to its membership in NATO. Countries in NATO that are nuclear-armed rejected the treaty. The United Nations is a long-time supporter of nuclear disarmament; as an example, it does so by urging countries to renew agreements like New START between the US and Russia.
Slovenia believes that nuclear disarmament should be done in a realistic and gradual manner. It also supports the nuclear powers being more transparent and the IAEA being given more authority to verify. Slovenia is of the opinion that NATO should give more attention to the implementation of No First Use policies. According to Slovenia, the UN General Assembly urging the nuclear-armed countries to take risk-reduction measures, such as ensuring that delivery systems are separate from warheads, is an idea worth considering. Furthermore, Slovenia is of the opinion that worldwide education in the field of nuclear energy dangers should also be promoted. Collaboration is the only way, according to Slovenia, in which nuclear disarmament can happen.
Works Cited
“Report Submitted by Slovenia.” United Nations NPT Review Conference, 2021.
“No First Use.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2025.
“Slovenia Profile.” Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor, 2024
