Topic: 2026 – Implementation of Sanctions
Country: France
Delegate Name: Aicha Jaafar
To minimize the use of direct military action or force, sanctions are frequently utilized throughout the United Nations to either condemn and punish a country, group, or actor, or to direct a nation towards becoming more stable. Most commonly, sanctions are utilized to apply economic pressure – whether that be through trade restrictions, travel bans, or blocking of foreign assets. As of 2024, sanctions by the United States had increased by 900% from the past 20 years. However, it is estimated that only 13% of the designed foreign policy goals surrounding these sanctions were reached. In addition to this, some sanctions damage the populations they are constructed to support. Aforementioned economic pressures, while putting stress on prominent state figures or governments, also end up hurting the lower and middle classes. In some cases, sanctions have led to malnutrition, lack of civic liberties, or increased government centralization . In 2024, United States sanctions placed on Venezuela only fueled an ongoing crisis between the citizens and their government, leading to millions of civilians fleeing the country. Although there are cases where sanctions prove to be effective, very often, their vague and difficult-to-enforce nature leads to an evasion of consequences from bad actors and harm towards wider populations.
As a prominent member of both the United Nations and European Union (EU), France plays a key role in imposing sanctions throughout the international community and in various industrial sectors. As a member of the Security Council, France has not only drafted and implemented targeted sanctions, but has worked towards minimizing the veto power of countries to limit corruption in the case of mass atrocities. EU Sectorial sanctions are imposed across industries, with France utilizing these to prohibit or slow the export on sensitive goods or technologies towards certain countries or groups . The nation has a large and complex governing body to maintain and protect the usage of sanctions across both the UN and EU, ensuring any corruption is minimized. France recognizes the immense use and value in sanctions, but is also dedicated towards protecting civilian livelihood.
As the Delegation of France, it is found necessary, to make sanctions properly effective, to begin ensuring the specificity and targeting of sanctions being created. We must put in place a framework to ensure that sanctions are, if possible, targeting the assets and trade of a specific group or network, and causing the designated consequences without civilian harm. To do this, the Delegation of France proposes that, when creating a sanction, a country must show their projected effects on both the actor/group and the general public. If they lack this information or any needed detailing to illustrate the exact assets they wish to target, the sanction will not be allowed by the UN. Additionally, any country proposing or agreeing with a large or widespread economic sanction that ends up harming a population must pledge to provide a percentage of aid (depending on GDP) towards said citizens. Finally, we must continue pushing towards limiting the powers of the veto. If countries are able to continue utilizing it for their own benefit, it is our duty to examine and restrict it if necessary. Sanctions are extremely valuable, but – if we wish to protect the international community – it must be shown that we are not exploiting nor using them carelessly.
Works Cited
A closer look at sanctions in France as developments signal tighter approach at national level. Global Investigations Review. (1969, December 31). https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/guide/the-guide-sanctions/sixth-edition/article/closer-look-sanctions-in-france-developments-signal-tighter-approach-national-level
Blocking progress: The damaging side effects of economic sanctions. Institute of Economic Affairs. (2018, November 30). https://iea.org.uk/publications/blocking-progress-the-damaging-side-effects-of-economic-sanctions/
Do sanctions actually work? experts evaluate the efficacy of this widely used foreign policy tool | Johns Hopkins in Washington, D.C. (n.d.-a). https://washingtondc.jhu.edu/news/do-sanctions-actually-work-experts-evaluate-the-efficacy-of-this-widely-used-foreign-policy-tool/
Sanctions | security council. (n.d.). https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/information
United Nations. (n.d.). UN sanctions: What they are, how they work, and who uses them | UN News. United Nations. https://news.un.org/en/story/2016/05/528382-un-sanctions-what-they-are-how-they-work-and-who-uses-them
