Topic: 2026 – Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles
Country: Gabon
Delegate Name: Abigail Kearney
In recent years, global stability has been consistently undermined, and tensions have run at all-time highs. A desperate need for global cooperation and a restoration of hegemonic stability has arisen, and yet, countries that pursue such routes face an ever-worsening challenge. Weapons stockpiling and proliferation, especially ballistic missiles, increase the chance for conflict and civilian harm during regional disputes. This provides significant roadblocks towards societal advancements and the protection of nations.
Gabon believes that the solution to such obstacles is to reduce and prevent the use and stockpiling of ballistic missiles. The best way to do this is to increase the efficiency and impact of the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. This code acts as a politically binding agreement by signatories to inform and report missile and space activity, as well as annual reports on ballistic and mass destructive weapons. This method of reporting eliminates administrative and cost barriers to conformity, which allows developing nations to easily subscribe to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. This system also provides all nations with a voice and method to share concerns in conversations they are often shunned from, even though they are the ones most vulnerable to the consequences of ballistic proliferation and use. Gabon proposes increased incentives for subscribing to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation alongside a functioning agreement that works to aid nations in reductions of ballistic missile stockpiles while maintaining regional security. These procedures must be executed with consideration of the impacts of instability. Within Africa, failure to regulate stockpiles of weapons, combined with regional instability and institutional collapse, has led to the tragic misuse of ballistic missiles and other weapons as armed guerrilla groups take control of massive stockpiles of dangerous weapons. Any plan in favor of monitoring and reducing ballistic missile use must consider the impact such a plan will have on regional stability and determine how best to protect the stability of governments to prevent catastrophic misuse of ballistic missiles.
The only solution to prevent the proliferation and stockpiling of ballistic missiles is one that works for every country. Often, smaller countries are excluded from important conversations surrounding weapons such as ballistic missiles, leading to a large amount of mismanagement due to forced ignorance. Therefore, Gabon suggests an approach that allows every country to voice an opinion, ensuring the best possible chance at regional security and cooperative hegemony. Only through this cooperation can nations begin to create peace and protection for their own peoples. Any solution must also be easy and accessible to nations that may struggle with cost or administrative duties. The nations most often deemed as threats to regional security are also the ones without adequate resources to monitor and control the activity of their weapons through United Nations-provided programs. Gabon believes that the possession, proliferation, and stockpiling of ballistic missiles are inherently harmful, but that the current system of approaches to this problem is equally as harmful. A new system that is designed for everyone is the only way to work towards universal initiatives towards the prevention of proliferation and misuse of ballistic missiles.
