Topic: 2026 – Implementation of Sanctions
Country: Slovenia
Delegate Name: Cohen Smith
Sanctions have long been used by states as a more peaceful alternative to fighting another state to prove a point. In more recent times, sanctions have been ridiculed for their effectiveness. This controversy stems from the effect of sanctions primarily affecting the common folk of the targeted nation. This has changed over the years as more and more states adopt ideas of more targeted sanctions as opposed to widespread sanctions. Another issue regarding the implementation of sanctions is the power held by the P5 when it comes to the expert panels. These panels are meant to be a way for the sanctions implemented by the UN to be monitored and controlled over time to ensure the safety of civilians and that the sanctions are doing what they were created to do.
Slovenia believes that the unilateral implementation of sanctions should be changed to favor multilateral action, including sanctions. Throughout Slovenia’s time on the UN Security Council, it always “remained firmly committed to multilateralism and international law and upheld respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” affirming its desire for peaceful talks and negotiation over consequential action as well as its desire for states not to perform actions unilaterally (Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs). Slovenia also desires the widespread implementation of smart, or otherwise known as targeted sanctions, that, instead of targeting the state as a whole, target a specific individual and/or group to minimize the damage done to civilians, as well as improving effectiveness of the sanctions (Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs). While Slovenia prefers the use of multilateral targeted sanctions, it also accepts and understands the importance of sanctions on importing and exporting arms (Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs).
When it comes to the capability of the P5 in particular to shut down the expert panels that oversee sanctions, Slovenia wishes to limit this inherent power of the P5. Slovenia has been a staunch supporter of reforming the power in the UN to be more diversified than before, to represent the unique geopolitical climate of today, rather than the geopolitical climate of just after WW2 (“Security Council Reform”). Slovenia has been in support of other states coming to agreements, such as the ACT code of conduct, when it comes to handling the power of vetoes. These agreements would then act as a way to prevent members of the P5 from shutting down key committees that oversee vital components of the UN, such as sanction implementation.
Works Cited
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. “Restrictive Measures.” 14 January 2026, https://www.gov.si/en/topics/restrictive-measures/. Accessed 10 February 2026.
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. “Slovenia on the UN Security Council: two years of responsible, visible and principled engagement.” 31 December 2025. Accessed 10 February 2026.
“Statement on the Reform of the UN Security Council.” 18 November 2025, https://buildingtrust.si/statement/statement-on-the-reform-of-the-un-security-council/. Accessed 10 February 2026.
