Topic: Emerging Nuclear States and the Global Nuclear Framework
Country: Cambodia
Delegate Name: Yuyuan Luo
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Cambodia position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The science of atomic radiation, atomic change and nuclear fission started to develop from 1895, and to 1945, the main focus was on the development of weapons. Starting in 1945, the focus started to shift toward harnessing this energy and converting it to electricity, and ever since 1956, the topic that was given most attention to was the development of reliable nuclear power plants. With the ability to destroy the lives of millions and having a long-term effect on the environment, nuclear weapons are generally regarded as the most dangerous type of weapon. There are currently nine nations with a total of 22,000 nuclear weapons that are accounted for. Nuclear reactors can also produce electricity, without emitting pollutants into the atmosphere, and for that reason, it can be said as one of the cleanest form of energy source. However, the reaction does produce radioactive nuclear waste which must be stored carefully, which is one of the main arguments against nuclear technology.
There are 2 current UN treaties on preventing nuclear proliferation and testing, the NPT and the CTCB. However, it poses a problem that some nations have signed neither or exited out them. With all the due respect to the national sovereignly of those nations, it is not in the best interest of the world. Another fallacy of those treaties is that if a nation with nuclear weapons violate the treaty, a detrimental cycle could be started.
The Kingdom of Cambodia (“Cambodia” thereafter) follows a strict policy of permanent neutrality and non-alignment, and ratified the CTCB in 2000 and NPT in 1973. Cambodia also maintains a policy of peaceful co-existence with its neighbors and with all other countries. Nuclear weapons will not be developed, and problems shall be solved peacefully. However, Cambodia will not interfere with the internal affairs of any other nations. Cambodia will, however, push toward the development of nuclear technologies.
Recognizing the importance of the self-defense purposes of nuclear weapons as well as the disastrous effect a nuclear war will have upon the human race, it is not inappropriate to bring up the idea of a treaty to partly eliminate nuclear weapons. As for the developments of nuclear energy, considering that it is widely regarded as the cleanest source of energy, encourage nations to develop nuclear technology. Noting the risks of employing nuclear technology, we must understand that nuclear technology has both pros and cons, and it is the countries’ own decision weather they choose to use nuclear technology or not.
