Topic: Emerging Nuclear States and the Global Nuclear Framework
Country: Czech Republic
Delegate Name: Rebecca Chrisman
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Czech Republic position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The Czech Republic strongly believes that members of the United Nations should consider the purpose of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) within their own countries when considering embarking upon nuclear power programs. The International Atomic Energy Agency was created was formed in 1957 after being proposed by the United States. It was created with the purpose of spreading peaceful nuclear technology and guarding against development of weapon capabilities.
As a country that has six nuclear reactors that generate one-third of the country’s power, the Czech Republic advises countries to embark on nuclear power. The Czech Republic has a mining industry for natural resources including coal and is aware of the impact that other power sources can have on an environment. The country currently faces air and water pollution, and land erosion due to the effects of mining and usage of coal. Whereas nuclear power is more environmentally friendly as it does not emit air pollution, requires little land, and isolates its waste from the environment.
However, the issue of how to best deal with nuclear waste needs to be addressed when considering a nuclear power program within a country. The Czech Republic recommends that nuclear waste by recycled. When dealing with nuclear waste in the Czech Republic, nuclear waste is sent to a treatment center before reuse, as it is impossible otherwise. This prevents environmental harm due to nuclear waste, while still enabling a country to pursue the option of nuclear power for their country.
The Czech Republic believes that it is the right of the 45 countries to create a nuclear power program for their country if the country can support it. This entails the capability of dealing with nuclear waste without harming the environment as it would eliminate all environmental gains from using nuclear power.
Sources:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
http://www.globalissues.org/
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/czech-republic.aspx
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/others/emerging-nuclear-energy-countries.aspx
