Topic: Assistance for Nations Facing Total Territory Loss
Country: Chile
Delegate Name: Adam Standiford
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Chile position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
It is important that the Republic of Chile protects itself from territory loss and assists other countries facing the same problems. With 6,435 km of coastline, the 19th largest in the world, a large percentage of Chile’s territory is potentially at risk of erosion and flooding. Rising sea levels due to global warming or flooding could contribute to this loss of territory. Also, a volcanic explosion from one of Chile’s three-dozen plus volcanos could render an entire region uninhabitable. The ash and fumes left behind from an explosion could mandate that an entire region be cleared of inhabitants for many, many years. Also, after losing the 1879-84 War of the Pacific to Chile, Bolivia lost claim to the Atacama corridor. Bolivia now asks for this strip of land back from Chile, but Chile refuses, instead offering Bolivia maritime access as long as Chile still has complete control over the piece of land. Any loss of land is a major threat to the Republic of Chile in the future.
Chile is not the only country facing territory loss. In recent years, nations such as Maldives, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Tonga, and the Marshall Islands have placed at a high risk of extreme flooding due to rising sea levels. These Island nations may be completely submerged in the near future. Chile sympathizes with these nations and will help protect them from complete submersion.
In an effort to limit territory loss in all coastal countries, Chile should advocate putting a stop on global warming to reduce the rate of rising sea levels. Countries placed at an extreme risk of disappearing into the ocean will be given aid including food, supplies, and eventually, evacuation.
