Position paper for Mozambique
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures |
| Paper text: | |
| Mozambique is fully committed to promoting peace and stability through disarmament.
With a history of civil war and armed conflict, Mozambique understands the critical role
disarmament plays in preventing violence and fostering long-term peace. With the rise of
conflict in the Middle East, disarmament measures are crucial to strengthening global
security and ensuring the alignment of peace. As a signatory of international agreements
such as Resolution A/RES/72/55 on disarmament and international security, Mozambique
supports global and regional efforts to reduce the threat posed by uncontrolled weapon
proliferation. As terrorism is an international threat, A/RES/72/55 highlights the need for
our international community to adhere to the 2030 Sustainable Development goals to
reduce illicit arms sales to combat terrorism. Mozambique has struggled with the rise of
terrorism within our country, as well as our global communities. A/RES/72/55 has
contributed to the reduction of terrorism. We acknowledge the importance of a state's right
to defend itself from such threats, such as the land mind issue Mozambique has been
effectively combating.
However, excessive militarization often leads to instability, especially in regions still recovering from conflict. Mozambique advocates for a balanced approach, such as supporting defense while promoting international peace efforts. Working in line with Resolution S/RES/1540, Mozambique believes that ensuring global security should not come at the cost of reigniting conflict. Incorporating new technologies, like satellite imagery and drones, into peacekeeping and disarmament is essential. Mozambique advocates using these tools to strengthen monitoring and confidence-building efforts in conflict zones. These technologies ensure that arms reduction agreements are respected without overstepping sovereignty concerns. Mozambique's experience with post-conflict recovery has solidified our commitment to disarmament. By supporting international regulations on emerging military technologies and promoting arms reduction, we aim to contribute to a safer and more peaceful world. Disarmament is not just about weapons; it's about building trust, stability, and the possibility of lasting peace. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction |
| Paper text: | |
| The misuse of biological weapons represents a severe global threat, with the potential to destabilize international peace, public health, and security. In today's interconnected world, no region is immune from the impact of bioweapons proliferation. Mozambique aligns with the global call for stricter controls to prevent non-state actors from exploiting biological materials. The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) remains a cornerstone in disarmament efforts, and Mozambique urges all states to adopt national legislation aligned with its principles. While the BTWC has been instrumental in preventing the large-scale development of bioweapons, its effectiveness is undermined by the absence of a formal verification mechanism. The challenge lies in political disagreements among member states over sovereignty concerns, inspection procedures, and the potential misuse of confidential data. Mozambique encourages the international community to overcome these obstacles by empowering the United Nations to conduct unannounced inspections and audits, ensuring transparency and trust in disarmament efforts. Mozambique has actively engaged in regional capacity-building programs to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity. Through partnerships with the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mozambique has contributed to initiatives such as training programs and the development of biosecurity frameworks. Moving forward, Mozambique stands ready to collaborate further with international partners, sharing best practices and participating in workshops to enhance regional preparedness for biological threats. The UN plays a crucial role in coordinating disarmament efforts, and Mozambique supports the active involvement of the Security Council, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and regional bodies in strengthening the BTWC. Mozambique urges the UN to establish ethical guidelines for dual-use research and promote international data-sharing networks that enhance public health while mitigating risks. Committed to advancing biosecurity protocols, fostering trust, and eliminating the threat of biological warfare, Mozambique believes that, through coordinated global efforts, the BTWC's goals can be achieved, ensuring a safer and more secure future for all. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Agriculture development, food security and nutrition |
| Paper text: | |
| According to the Global Report on Food Crises, in 2023, 282 million people were
struggling with severe food insecurity, requiring urgent aid in 59 countries alone.
Contemporaneously, many of these surveyed countries were also recorded as having the
majority of their labor force in the agricultural sector. This absurd imbalance will continue
exacerbating strains on the global economy and inflicting catastrophic consequences on
hundreds of millions of people. This formidable and omnipresent affront to Article 55 of the
United Nations Charter requires all states to mobilize for collective efforts to protect
everyone's health and social and economic conditions. The Republic of Mozambique firmly
maintains that fair and honest cooperation and confidence among states and international
institutions are most important in developing durable and effective solutions to agricultural
advancement and food security.
Mozambique praises the past significant efforts by the international community to remedy this momentous crisis with agreements such as the creation of the World Food Programme (1961) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (1976). Mozambique further applauds the passing of A/RES/70/1, A/76/L.55, and A/RES/77/186. Mozambique supports significantly increasing the funding of the WFP to relieve present food insecurity in the most afflicted regions of the world. Mozambique also supports greatly expanding the budget of the IFAD to develop the durability of the agriculture sector of states most vulnerable to the disastrous effects of climate change. Mozambique further supports the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development, investing in research into the development of seawater farming in response to coastal flooding of farmland or the lack of freshwater resources where farmland should be. Mozambique additionally supports the construction of canals to transport fresh water to farms in distinct rural areas that lack it, as well as to better transport crops to urban areas. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Development cooperation with middle-income countries |
| Paper text: | |
| Middle-income countries are a predominantly diverse group in terms of population, income, and size. They make up around 75% of the planet's population. Collectively, middle- income countries only make up a third of global GDP and 62% of the world's poor. This massive disparity in population to economic output demonstrates an unrealized potential that these countries can't utilize, thus obstructing global productivity. Notably, middle-income countries possess untapped potential but face significant barriers, particularly inadequate infrastructure, dependence on imported goods, lack of skilled workers, and a lack of investment opportunities or loans with high interest rates that undermine the investment. To combat these issues, the UN has adopted multiple resolutions to assist, including the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action, which, through the South-South Conference, encouraged cooperation between developing countries to use cost-sharing to address common problems and broaden national research for projects and programs at the regional level. Furthermore, it called on developing countries to increase self-reliance by creating long-term plans to strengthen technological and scientific capabilities to their specific needs and slow their brain drain. Recently, in the 2000 UN Millennium Declaration, the UN reaffirmed its commitment to making development a right for everyone and helping deal with the debt issues of these countries through enhanced debt relief efforts. In the UN's recent attempts to help promote development within emerging economies, the UN proposed the SDG stimulus package to reduce the impact of global crises and further increase opportunities for countries to obtain loans to invest in their infrastructure and industry. It accomplished this through lower interest rate loans and creating programs to alleviate debt and poverty. Mozambique advocates for further international and regional cooperation, additional efforts to make the international financial system more equitable, and upscaling opportunities to provide long-term loans that will mutually benefit developed and developing countries. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Rights of indigenous peoples |
| Paper text: | |
| Mozambique, throughout its history, has consistently maintained a significant
indigenous population, both in sheer numbers as well as per capita. In Mozambique,
seven major indigenous ethnic groups spread throughout the country contribute to ninety-
nine percent of the nation's total population. Diverse groups with different languages,
customs, and religious practices. Whilst under the colonial rule of the Portuguese Empire
there was a general neglect of the overwhelming indigenous population, with the policies
of the Portuguese government more often than not, favoring the White settlers of
Mozambique. The Committee must take active steps to elevate Indigenous populations
worldwide, not merely by maintaining them but by empowering them within their
respective nations. A crucial part of this effort involves recognizing and promoting
Indigenous languages as essential elements of a nation's cultural identity. Article 9 of the
Mozambican constitution exemplifies this by stating, "The State shall esteem national
languages as cultural and educational heritage, and shall promote their development and
increasing use as languages that convey our identity." This highlights that, despite the
presence of an official national language, regional languages should be both encouraged
and preserved across the country.
The Republic of Mozambique has partnered with Planet Aid Food For Knowledge to introduce a bilingual literacy program that allows children to learn to read and write in their mother language and later Portuguese. Keeping alive the indigenous cultures for the next generation. While these languages may not always penetrate large organizations, their significance within local regions must be safeguarded and protected. The United Nations should advocate for policies that promote the recognition and preservation of Indigenous cultures on a global scale. Such policies should go beyond basic indigenous rights protections, aiming to ensure the active participation of Indigenous communities in governance, education, as well as cultural preservation. Many States have created bodies within their governments to represent indigenous populations yet many still go without a voice. The UN should work toward promoting the creation of these bodies and establishing a guild line to define who are indigenous groups. The inclusion of Indigenous voices is vital for fostering more equitable and diverse societies, and the United Nations is urged to adopt frameworks that empower Indigenous populations throughout the world to shape their futures while contributing to global progress. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Literacy for life |
| Paper text: | |
| Literacy is an important tool of the people. Improvements in literacy have correlated to a rise in the standard of living around the world. An uneducated, illiterate population can lead to political instability, exploitation, and lack of innovation within a country. Thanks in part to the efforts of UNESCO and the efforts of many organizations associated with the UN, literacy has increased worldwide from 68% to 86%, according to FS/2017/LIT/45. The Republic of Mozambique acknowledges that UNESCO has made great progress in promoting literacy over the past half a century. They work to meet the 2030 sustainability goals after the failure of the millennium goals in many developing countries. Many of these are facing issues in educating their population, partly due to the lasting effects of colonialism on their population, including the Republic of Mozambique. Yet even now, this still leaves over 700 million people, mainly in developing countries, without the ability to read and write, according to UNESCO's Institute for Statistics. This issue is one that The Republic of Mozambique finds vitally important, as only 60% of the country's adult population is literate. Despite this, The Republic of Mozambique has maintained education and literacy as important parts of its legislation and efforts to develop its population. Written within their Constitution maintains the right to education and to eradicate illiteracy with the establishment of a national public education system and seven years of compulsory education. The Republic of Mozambique has also established the Mozambique Education for All Movement, an organization that seeks to promote literacy within its own borders and neighboring states as a founding member of the Southern Africa African Networks Campaigns for Education for All. And seeks to promote literacy for all ages within its borders and in developing countries around the world. Despite troubles promoting literacy due to the lack of electricity, resources, and the many diverse languages with domestic borders and international neighbors. In line with that, The Republic of Mozambique believes that Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals and A/RES/75/155 of the general assembly are steps in the right direction for promoting literacy and education around the world. It will not meet the needs of the people and make the 2030 goal. The Republic of Mozambique seeks to address the financial and cultural challenges that prevent the development of educational institutions within developing countries to promote literacy to all members of a state by further promoting education to marginalized groups, especially in developing countries, and a reduction in the number of the 2030 Sustainability Goals to allow sufficient funding to goals like Goal 4 that will later serve as a building block for many future aspirations. Literacy is the foundation for innovation and the future of humanity. It is a fundamental right of the people. Increasing literacy is an important global goal. One of the utmost importance is that without the support of the entire international community, it will not be achieved. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment |
| Paper text: | |
| Every person has a fundamental right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as of resolution A/76/300; yet in states across the globe, people are without access to clean air or water, facing natural disaster crises, and not being supported by sustainable practices. The Republic of Mozambique condemns the lack of care for sustainability and lack of regard for climate change, as it, as well as other coastal states, face debilitating natural disasters that have led to devastating environmental and economic challenges. Climate change and unclean environments impair the development of states and their economies when resources must continuously be redistributed to counter their negative impacts. This is why The Republic of Mozambique created the National Institute for Disaster Management. The agency allows the state to prepare ahead of time and minimize damage following cyclones, hurricanes, or other events. To best dampen the effects climate change will have on developing states, the Republic of Mozambique implores states to engage in joint research operations. Further, it approves of and appreciates initiatives such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Sustainable Management of Miombo woodlands, which promotes environmental sustainability while supporting local communities. The investment in sustainable practices now is crucial for future generations to be able to thrive. To best respect and protect the environment, states must work together to hold transnational corporations accountable for their impacts by promoting transparency in product sourcing and implementing stringent regulations on nonrenewable resource usage. States should also partner with NGOs and the UN to financially support sustainable corporations and practices whenever possible. The Republic of Mozambique believes it to be imperative that the interconnectedness of human rights and environmental sustainability are recognized to pursue a future unhindered by climate change. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel |
| Paper text: | |
| Humanitarian and United Nations personnel are repeatedly the victims of conflict and other political and social disputes. General Assembly resolution A/78/L.17, as well as the report of the Secretary-General A/79/149, were necessary follow-ups to resolution 46/182, which strengthened the coordination of humanitarian assistance, making it more effective. The Republic of Mozambique, as a state that has been burdened by conflict throughout its existence, appreciates the importance of humanitarian aid, having both benefited from emergency response and recovery efforts and actively contributing to regional humanitarian success through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and refugee hosting programs. To sustain humanitarian missions effectively, Mozambique proposes strengthening international frameworks through three key initiatives: establishing a Regional Security Coordination Network with dedicated protection forces and real-time threat assessment systems; implementing enhanced communication protocols between civilians, states, and humanitarian personnel through digital platforms and improved internet infrastructure; and developing robust international protection frameworks including rapid response mechanisms and standardized security training. Drawing from our experience, Mozambique is committed to leading regional efforts by hosting the SADC Humanitarian Operations Centre in Nacala, establishing a Center of Excellence for Humanitarian Protection Training in Maputo, and developing bilateral security agreements with neighboring states. Through improved communication infrastructure and strengthened security measures, we can better protect those who dedicate their lives to helping others, ultimately providing the foundations for a more peaceful world. | |
| Committee: | SC |
| Topic: | The Situation in the Middle East |
| Paper text: | |
| Current UNOCHA figures estimate over 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza
in the ongoing war between Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas beginning on October 7th.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, these casualties
are primarily civilian women and children. The recent escalation of this 75-year-long
conflict poses an existential threat to the maintenance of international peace and security.
As a nation that has experienced, first-hand, the tragic consequences of post-colonial
conflict, Mozambique offers a unique vision to the international community that keeps
these lessons at the forefront of diplomatic solutions toward a lasting peace between
Palestine and Israel.
A mediated dialogue between Hamas and Israel is of primary importance toward the cessation of violence, and to this end, we believe the deployment of a UNDPPA-managed Standby Team of Mediation Experts to support guided, on-the-ground mediation planning and execution is the most historically effective path toward the goal of a two-state solution. Mozambique, alongside other African member states, represents over half of this force by current DPPA records and thus offers a critical diplomatic role from the standpoint of conflict mediation experience and its leadership in the A3. To bring about the necessary conditions for this mediation process, we stress the importance of all member states to adhere to the commitments of Resolutions 1860 (2009) and 2735 (2024), reiterating the necessity for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza, the expedient exchange of all hostages, and the administration of necessary aid and rebuilding efforts in the Gaza Strip. The continuous presence and support of the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in coordination with UNESCO advisory personnel is necessary to ensure the allowance of all levels of humanitarian aid, including humanitarian pauses and corridors, into Gaza per the conditions laid out in Resolution 2712 (2023). Therefore, we call for a total embargo on all arms entering Israel and Palestine, a strategy which has seen success most recently in the Central African Republic's now-concluded conflict. With all these considerations in mind, we strongly urge all UN Member States to officially recognize the territorial sovereignty of Palestine and welcome all movement toward the establishment of independent Palestinian statehood in line with the broader mission of peaceful Palestinian and Israeli coexistence. | |
| Committee: | SC |
| Topic: | The Situation in Ukraine |
| Paper text: | |
| The Government of Mozambique, having gone through devastating armed conflicts in recent years, is greatly concerned with the ongoing situation between Ukraine and Russia. We believe that achieving a peaceful resolution requires adherence to international law. Focusing primarily on the safety of the civilian population, along with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state. We recognize the importance of upholding the United Nations Charter concerning Article 2.4, which enshrines the importance of respecting sovereignty for all states. With great respect to Chapter 1, Article 1, part 2 of the United Nations, which gives the unquestionable right to self-determination of people. We acknowledge the right of states to assist repressed groups, but it must only do so within the guise of Chapter VII of the UN Charter and Article 13 of the Rome Statute. Additionally, all member states must continue to uphold our responsibilities to assist in the humanitarian efforts of those who are in need, according to Resolution A/RES/46/182(1991). As well as extend the sentiment of A/RES/45/100(1990) and A/RES/43/131(1988) to the suffering noncombatant population of the situation area in Eastern Europe. We encourage all states to adhere to S/RES/2024/400(2024) as it calls for the protection of Aid personnel and Peacekeepers who are in combat zones. Recalling the obligations that all states have to uphold the Geneva Convention of 1949 to protect noncombatants, we believe the best way to end the hostilities between Ukraine and Russia will be through mediated dialogue by the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission. Mozambique condemns the use of unilateral measures like sanctions as a means of coercion. We encourage all states to encourage both Russia and Ukraine to call a ceasefire so peacebuilding dialogue and humanitarian relief may take place. | |
| Committee: | SC |
| Topic: | The Situation in Abyei |
| Paper text: | |
| The dire humanitarian crisis and ethnic conflict in Abyei demands the attention of the entire international community. As Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa Hanna Serwaa Tetteh reported in her Security Council briefing in May, over 630,000 refugees from Sudan have fled the ongoing civil conflict there between Rapid Security Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, leading to increased pressures on already sub- standard access to food, clean water, and basic medical care as populations surge in South Sudan, with upwards of 2.4 million refugees, 65% of which are children according to UN Refugee Agency figures in July of 2023. Sexual violence wielded against civilian populations has also been widespread, in many cases amounting to crimes against humanity. These conditions have deteriorated much of the diplomatic progress made between representatives of the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya Arab ethnic groups and tragically contributed to the escalation of tensions and the deaths of civilians and UNISFA peacekeeping personnel. Mozambique, as a nation intimately familiar with the difficulties associated with reconciliation from war in a post-colonial African political landscape, reiterates its support for the progress made toward reconciliation via the Revitalized Peace Agreement despite recent challenges. We hold that the primary condition most conducive to lasting peace efforts in Abyei is a stable democratic process. Most conducive to that end is a legitimate force capable of enforcing a peaceful transition toward democracy in Sudan and South Sudan, which includes building up stable security and communications infrastructure. As laid out in Resolution 2567 (2021) in line with UNMISS and its mandate, we call for an expansion by the UNSC in the deployment of UNISFA peacekeeping personnel and resources for carrying out its mandate to protect civilians and vulnerable populations, especially women and children, from physical and sexual violence, and further call upon Sudan and South Sudan authorities to allow all UN peacekeeping personnel safe avenues of transportation. We particularly stress methods of conflict management in line with the strategies outlined by the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development on prioritizing the effective training of mediation personnel and the maintenance of open and continuous structured dialogue as has seen much success in previous years and expect to see in the future (see IJAEM). This further entails relevant parties' full cooperation and assistance in the building up of technical and logistical support systems to best facilitate communications, resources, and effective monitoring of compliance in all parties' responsibilities to the UNMISS mandate. | |
| Committee: | WHA |
| Topic: | Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health |
| Paper text: | |
| In a world where the health of women, children, and adolescents transcends national borders, the global community must unite to ensure equitable access to essential healthcare services. Mozambique strongly supports the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's, and Adolescents' Health, recognizing that the well-being of these populations is crucial to sustainable development. Access to essential medicines and vaccines is a priority for our nation. We urge this committee to pursue a global policy ensuring fair access to life-saving treatments, including maternal vaccines and therapies for malaria and tuberculosis. We also call on wealthier countries to donate surplus vaccines and medicines through international frameworks like COVAX, ensuring timely treatments for nations like Mozambique. At a regional level, Mozambique encourages collaboration through the African Union and African Development Bank to improve health systems and address inequalities. As Dr. Nazira Abdula, Mozambique's Minister of Health, stated, "Investing in our health systems is investing in our future." To enhance health outcomes, Mozambique calls for global cooperation in developing robust health data collection systems and digital solutions to track vaccination coverage and maternal mortality. We further emphasize the importance of WHO Resolution WHA 69.2 (2016), which urges countries to strengthen health systems in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mozambique also acknowledges ongoing challenges, such as limited healthcare infrastructure and the aftermath of recent cyclones, which underscore the urgency of international support. We advocate for investments in nutrition programs to improve access to nutritious food for pregnant women, children, and adolescents. A joint initiative involving the WHO and WFP should focus on school feeding programs, prenatal nutrition support, and emergency food aid. By prioritizing these solutions and fostering collaboration, we can forge a healthier future for women, children, and adolescents. | |
| Committee: | WHA |
| Topic: | Public health dimension of the world drug problem |
| Paper text: | |
| The escalating global drug crisis demands urgent action, as it not only threatens public
health but also undermines the very fabric of our societies. Mozambique advocates for a
shift in addressing the complexities of drug use through a public health lens, recognizing
that both individual and community well-being are at stake. As the World Health
Organization states, "Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." We must challenge the stigma
surrounding drug use and prioritize rehabilitative practices over punitive measures. To
address the public health implications of drug use, Mozambique calls for harm reduction
strategies like supervised consumption sites and needle exchange programs. These
initiatives, successfully implemented in developed countries such as Portugal, Belgium,
Mexico, and even the United States, have proven to reduce overdose deaths and increase
access to healthcare services.
According to a WHO report, such strategies significantly reduce HIV transmission rates among drug users and create pathways to treatment and recovery. Mozambique believes that similar programs would benefit Sub-Saharan Africa, where the drug problem is often compounded by limited access to healthcare. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of comprehensive education programs aimed at preventing drug use among youth. By providing accurate information and fostering open dialogue, Mozambique can help young people make informed, safe decisions. Additionally, we support the principles outlined in WHO Resolution WHA 67.22 (2014), which encourages member states to integrate public health into national drug policies. This aligns with UN Resolution 72/88 (2019), calling for international cooperation in addressing the drug crisis through health-centered approaches. We must keep these initiatives in mind when working on forming a resolution, as we can use them as the framework for future success. In conclusion, Mozambique urges the global community to embrace harm reduction and rehabilitative strategies, ensuring that health and recovery are prioritized for all individuals affected by substance abuse, regardless of where they live. | |
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