Topic: Emerging Nuclear States and the Global Nuclear Framework
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Paige Ostrowski
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Brazil position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Brazil advocates for a future of nuclear technology, used solely for peaceful purposes and has forsworn nuclear weapons. Nuclear energy makes up three percent of Brazil’s electricity. It provides an alternative energy source and is becoming increasingly valuable to Brazil, as their number of reactors continues to grow. The past secrecy surrounding Brazil’s nuclear endeavors have been mostly resolved and forgiven. The improvement of nuclear technology and its standing in Brazil diverges from a complicated history of a covert uranium enrichment program. The Autonomous Program of Nuclear Technology (PATN) was a clandestine program that stressed the relationship of Brazil’s military leaders to their citizens, as well as their international relations. In 1975, a major deal between Brazil and a West German company engendered a transfer of nuclear technology. The fear associated with the ability of Brazil to produce nuclear weapons resulted in a banning of all nuclear activities, exempting those that are deemed solely for peaceful purposes.This occurred in 1988 and was followed by a signing of a bilateral agreement with Argentina in 1991. This agreement constituted of both sides to again use nuclear technology for solely peaceful purposes. The Common System of Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials would be responsible for enforcing their agreement.
Seven years later the increased responsibility and accountability of nuclear weapons continued when Brazil agreed to the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in 1998. This treaty, signed by 189 state parties, requires the abandonment of production of nuclear weapons. Despite the disengagement of nuclear weapons, nuclear technology continues to flourish. Brazil currently has two nuclear reactors functioning successfully and a third under construction. There is believed to be four more large reactors to have construction underway in the 2020s. The development of nuclear weapons should cease as nuclear technology continues to focus on providing a renewable energy source.
