Topic: 2025 – No First Use Policies and Nuclear Disarmament
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Isla Bakker
Country: South Africa
Delegate: Isla Bakker
School: Williamston
Committee: DISEC
Topic: No First Use Policies and Nuclear Disarmament
Being one of the few countries globally to have developed nuclear weapons and voluntarily give them up, South Africa, during the late 20th century, built a small nuclear arsenal and then chose to dismantle it before the end of apartheid. The country joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1991, being in the state of a non-nuclear-weapon state. They have remained to promote peace, transparency, and responsible international cooperation since then. In modern times, South Africa is a strong supporter of nuclear disarmament; it believes nuclear weapons are not only a threat to global peace but a threat to humanity. Due to its unique history, South Africa delivers a meaningful perspective to the issue and shows that complete disarmament is possible with the needed authorities and an international trust system.
South Africa has played an active, crucial role in supporting global efforts towards building a world wih an absence of nuclear weapons. After the deconstruction of their nuclear program, their country became the first nation to voluntarily destroy all of its nuclear weapons. Not only were they the first to get rid of them, but they were also the only nation to do so. The Treaty on the Non-Profiling of Nuclear Weapons is strongly supported to consistently advocate for all nuclear-armed states to fully commit to disarmament. South Africa has also helped promote and negotiate the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. “No First Use” policies are important steps for South Africa when building the premises of trust between countries, and they regularly encourage nuclear powers to adopt such policies to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict, whether it be accidental or intentional. South Africa continues to speak out in the United Nations for fairness, accountability, and a world where security is not based on weapons of mass corruption.
Looking ahead, South Africa schemes to continue pushing towards a powerful global collaboration on nuclear disarmament. The delegation believes that states that remain nuclear-armed need to take real, measurable steps towards diminishing and eventually completely removing their arsenals. They believe the United Nations should help create clear timelines and verification systems to inch towards this goal. South Africa supports the encouragement of “No First Use” commitments amongst nuclear powers, which will reduce tensions and build trust in regions, along with long-standing rivalries. The country hopes to strengthen partnerships with advocacy groups and international organizations to educate the world about the dangers within nuclear weapons. While there are no longer nuclear capabilities in South Africa, they will continue to advocate for global security so that around the world, everyone will feel safe enough to move towards complete disarmament. By promoting transparency, strong national agreements, and peaceful diplomacy, South Africa aims to help create a future where nuclear weapons are no longer a threat to humanity.
Nuclear Disarmament South Africa
South Africa | Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
