Topic:
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Pranav Mudhas
With the rising tensions between countries, military tensions are at an all-time high. More and more nations are devoting their funds to the sole purpose of increasing their military. In 2019, the United States increased its military spending by almost 5.3% to $732 billion, China by 5.1%, India by 6.8%, and Russia by 4.5%. Interestingly, these countries contributed 60% of the global military funding that year. While increasing military spending can ensure safety for some country’s citizens, ultimately, it does more harm than good. Increasing military spending forces other nations to raise theirs as a form of retaliation. Additionally, high military funding can have detrimental effects on different parts of countries. For example, increasing military spending leaves less money to improve education, healthcare, and development. The UN must create a resolution that controls extensive military spending but allows countries to implement better internal security measures.
The Federative Republic of Brazil believes firmly in regulating extensive military expenditures as they produce detrimental effects on other parts of the country. Still, it does believe in strengthening internal security measures. Brazil has less to contribute to its military budget, so it struggles to stand with larger powerhouses. In 2021, it dedicated 19.1 billion dollars to its military, only 1.19% of its GDP. This is a decrease compared to the 1.39% that Brazil spent in 2020. Brazil spends most of its military budget on modernizing its army. Programs such as the Brazilian Gripen program, VBTP-MR Guarani Project, and the submarine development program account for much of our military budget, yet these programs aim is to ensure internal security against drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and organized crime. These programs also aim to modernize Brazil’s army and allow it to contend with the growing militaries around it. Brazil’s National Strategy for Defense (END) emphasizes protecting Brazil’s sovereignty, territory, and natural resources, particularly in the Amazon Forest. Another END objective is reducing its dependence on other countries for defense weapons.
The Federative Republic of Brazil holds that the UN must regulate extensive military budgets to better the world’s economy and decrease tensions between countries. However, Brazil affirms that military spending is necessary to protect citizens from external and internal threats. While Brazil does wish to reduce countries’ military spending, it does not want to impede the implementation of its new military programs. Brazil’s goal is not to threaten other countries but to fight against internal security threats from drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and organized crime. Brazil looks to work with other countries to ensure a safe and prosperous environment where developing countries can reach their full potential. Brazil desires a treaty that decreases extensive military budgets but still allows a comfortable amount to maintain our country’s and its people’s stability and safety.