Topic: Peaceful Development of Nuclear Energy and Control of Fissile Material
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Delegate Name: Jacob Schacht
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Bosnia and Herzegovina position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
Nuclear power gained the world’s attention after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and many countries wanted the uses of nuclear power for themselves. Nuclear power became a popular topic and it played a major role during the next decades. Today, some of those nations are attempting to go through with their plans. Two ways of producing nuclear power exist using the combined use of plutonium-239 and uranium-235 or the use of highly enriched uranium. These fissile materials’ atoms, when split by neutrons, produce enormous amounts of energy. This energy can be harnessed to produce electricity or in the case of a nuclear weapon, the energy can be released producing a huge explosion. The world is getting increasingly worried as the technologies of nuclear reactors, reprocessing plants, and uranium enrichment plants is now easier for unpredictable nations, like The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Iran, to get their hands on.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) currently is managing a developing infrastructure left from its Civil War from 1992-1995. BiH imports over two times more products than it exports and fixing its economy is the nation’s top priority. The current unemployment is estimated to be around 29%. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s main source of electricity comes from the burning of coal. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not currently have the economic stability to build and pay for nuclear facilities, but nuclear technology does provide several benefits to a nation’s economy. When the opportunity presents itself, Bosnia and Herzegovina would look into developing nuclear power. Nuclear power can bring cleaner emissions which are easier on the environment. Pollution levels decrease from nuclear power when compared to the emissions of burning coal. Coal is a popular fossil fuel that many nations use, and because of its widespread use, the amounts of coal in coal producing regions are diminishing. Nuclear power provides an alternative source of energy which Bosnia and Herzegovina can rely upon, especially when Bosnia and Herzegovina relies upon much of the coal it mines. Nuclear energy can also be produced within Bosnia and Herzegovina’s borders allowing Bosnia and Herzegovina to not require as much help from other nations.
As a solution to the situation of nuclear energy being used for violent purposes, Bosnia proposes that, with respect to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, developing nations with a democratic form of government should be allowed to create nuclear power for peaceful purposes. In addition, those countries with nuclear programs will be closely monitored by a UN organization, and all countries will need to comply with the agency in charge of checking the nation’s use of nuclear energy. Bosnia and Herzegovina sees this solution as a way for Bosnia and Herzegovina to obtain other means of electricity in the future. This solution will also allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to maintain relatively warm relations with Iran, Pakistan, and the Syrian Arab Republic. Countries who would support Bosnia’s suggestion are Germany, Canada, and Malaysia. Certainly other developing democratic nations with the desire to use nuclear power for peaceful means will be willing to comply with the said solution. Bosnia and Herzegovina agrees with and recalls the rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as support, and Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the purpose of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
