Topic: Emerging Nuclear States and the Global Nuclear Framework
Country: Cuba
Delegate Name: Lindsey Hart
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Cuba position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Ever since the first use of nuclear weapons in 1945, nuclear weapons and technology has seen an increase in development and use, even though the impact from such weaponry and technology caused mass destruction. An arms race soon emerged as other countries trying to scramble to produce the most nuclear weapons and technology, leading to a massive 15,000 warheads stockpiled between nine countries. Although more countries are turning to harnessing nuclear energy rather than nuclear weapons, the international stage is still weary of countries trying to develop and harness energy with a history of mass destruction. This concern led to the creation of treaties such as the Treaty of Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and countries actively trying to reduce the amount of warheads they possess. Despite this, some countries continue to develop warheads and nuclear power against the wishes of the international community.
Cuba is apart of many treaties to eliminate and reduce the presence of nuclear weaponry on the international stage, the most notably the NPT. As a member of the NPT, Cuba, along with many other Latin American countries, have agreed to not develop nuclear warheads, and limit how much nuclear energy they try to harness. This agreement has kept Latin American countries, such as Cuba, from engaging in nuclear weaponry development. The multiple treaties signed by Cuba also provides clarity, and holds them to a standard, both in Latin America, and on the international stage. The standards Cuba is held to allows them to peacefully co-exist with their neighbors, and keeping hostilities and tensions low in terms of nuclear power and weapons. In terms of nuclear energy, Cuba currently has no operable power plants, though at one point expressed interest in doing so. As part of the treaty agreements Cuba partakes in, keeping the use of nuclear energy on a minimum is something Cuba actively pursues.
When addressing how to react to such a massive amount of nuclear warhead stockpiles, Cuba wants to see countries held to stricter standards within the NPT and other treaties to help reduce the numbers. In order to see a continual decrease of the nuclear warhead stockpiles, countries need to have goals and standards to hit. This also goes along with developing a response for the increased interest in nuclear technology. Cuba wants to see these stricter guidelines in order for the world to see a decrease in nuclear warheads.
