Topic: Autonomous Weapon Systems
Country: Zimbabwe
Delegate Name: Alex Martin
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Zimbabwe position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Over recent years, militaries around the world have made great progress developing both partially- and completely-autonomous weapons systems, machines that can identify, aim at, and destroy a target without human input. Though these weapons are feared for their potential inability to distinguish between military and civilian targets, they also present opportunities for nations and organizations to ensure their individual safety from outside threats.These weapons, in the form of defensive turrets, for example, could provide for security against military attack in ways human soldiers cannot, and as offensive weapons, could reduce the risk faced by soldiers in battle by replacing humans wherever possible.
When discussing the use of autonomous weapons, it is important to recognize the importance of individual nations’ rights and obligations to defend themselves from both internal and external threats. These weapons have shown clear potential to enhance the security of military compounds, disputed borders, airports, as well as other potential military targets. Anticipating further advancements in this technology, Zimbabwe believes it important that research and development of these weapons should be allowed to continue, as further progress in these systems may help weapons to better distinguish between civilian and military targets, becoming both safer and more effective. In the future, individual nations should be allowed to develop and produce autonomous weapons without the limiting oversight of the United Nations or other international authorities. If safely and responsibly developed, autonomous weapons systems could become valuable assets to governments all over the world.
