Topic: Trade in High-Tech Weapons Systems
Country: France
Delegate Name: Kathleen Stattelman
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All France position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Trade in high tech-weaponry is a venture as inevitable as it can be dangerous. As technology advances, high tech weapons have created means for nations to produce multifarious versions of high tech weapons to export to undeveloped nations. By doing so, these countries ensure lack of threat, and protection. However, even these less advanced arms and machines can prove to hinder devastating affects when used in a destructive fashion. Furthermore, this gives unprecedented authority to high-tech weapon manufacturing countries over those that rely on the trade.
France is conscious of the severity of the effects of the international trade of high tech weapons systems; Aware that this is a wide encompassing issue present in almost all militant disputes globally. Developed countries distributing inferior, but dangerous, weaponry to less prosperous nations could hold grave effects. This duplicity is representative of the lack of proper regulation of high-tech weapons. Though this is concerning on its own, what this develops in to is grimmer. Powerful nations holding their ability to produce such weapons and thus coerce less able nations is a truth that concerns France. France believes that such demonstrations of manipulation and intimidation have no place on the world stage. Also, disturbing to France is the possibility of terrorist organizations and dangerous adversaries gaining access to any form of high-tech weaponry. France has been made aware in the last year how devastating the effects of dangerous weaponry in the hands of such groups can be and is adamant to prevent this. The Wassenaar Arrangement, of which France is actively participatory, is described by the ministry of Defense to, “ensure that their transfers of arms and dual-use goods and technologies do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities liable to undermine regional and international security and stability.” Furthermore, France applies all provisions from the EU’s Common Position which seeks to “foster convergence between Member States’ arms export policies and promote transparency in the arms sector.”
This type of transparency is one that could vastly improve the affair of trade in High-Tech Weapons. France would urge the UN to formulate a resolution that includes the illegalization of coercion and manipulation by the hands of distributing countries. If this were to become international law, nations would be unable to trade out inferior weapons, or hold power over undeveloped nations. The process of regulating all aspects of high-tech weapons including manufacturing, distribution, and use should individually receive reform and attention from the UN. Regulation is key. International law must distinguish high-tech weapons from other arms and technology and to properly ensure the protection of civilians. All nations included in the European Union and NATO France hope will stand by this stance.
