Position paper for Netherlands
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures |
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| Consolidation of Peace through Practical Disarmament Measures Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are the primary fuel of violence and destabilization throughout the world. To promote peace and protect the lives of innocent people, as well as the planet, the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was created through joint international cooperation. A powerful treaty, its scope is limited only by international support. The Netherlands recognizes the strength of this treaty and pushes for further signature as well as other programs to ensure that these issues of health and peace are spread. The power of the United Nations is the pressure that it puts onto other nations to keep the world safe. This position would push nations who have not signed the Arms Trade Treaty to do so under the premise that it would improve international relations and help track international weapons trading. Without cooperation, the treaty loses power and efficiency. Only through international cooperation can these aims, such as sustainability goal 16, be achieved. Part of this international cooperation is transparency. By building trust and clearly understanding the arms trade, arms races can be prevented and long-term stability throughout the world can be achieved. Included in this position is the work to proliferate disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs throughout the world to ensure that nations can get into a peacetime economy and that the tools for instigation are removed. The Netherlands is proud to be a leader in peace throughout the world by tackling SALW trade by practical measures such as the ATT and DDR programs. It aims to ensure that these policies are internationally recognized and acted upon to ensure global stability and 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 |
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| The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an international group which has worked to ensure implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Although a powerful group, it is independent from the UN which prevents it from taking drastic actions if a state fails to comply. As a ratifier of the CWC, the Netherlands' stance is clear. Given the threat that these weapons pose, pressure needs to be maintained on nations producing or who have yet to destroy their stockpiles and means of producing chemical weapons. The Netherlands signed this treaty and has been a vocal supporter. The Netherlands provides funds for programs to ensure that these weapons don't exist. This proposition holds that the UN would fully implement the OPCW and make the CWC treaty into law. This would ensure that the treaty has stronger enforcement across the world from the harm of chemical weapons. The UN must ensure that funding is provided to destroy all stockpiles or facilities. Additionally, the UN must fund audit programs to ensure that materials which can be used for chemical weapons are used for research, medical, or pharmaceutical purposes exclusively. If nations are not abiding by this legislation, the United Nations would provide peacekeepers to the area to ensure that escalations, which may prompt the use of weapons, do not occur. These actions will ensure that the UN is taking positive steps toward sustainability goal 16 by bringing about peace, as well as goals 3, 6, 13, 14, and 15 by keeping people and the planet safe from chemical weapons which have time and time again shown their deadly impact against non-combatant lifeforms. The Netherlands has shown, through its actions and early membership in the OPCW, that there needs to be drastic measures to ensure the disarmament and prevention of chemical weapons, specifically through the jurisdiction of the United Nations who can securely and efficiently enforce this legislation. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Agriculture development, food security and nutrition |
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| The Netherlands is a global leader in agriculture, but its intensive farming activities, especially livestock farming, have a significant impact on the environment. Agriculture contributes substantially to the Dutch economy, but addressing its environmental impact is essential for sustainable growth. The Dutch government is committed to transitioning to a biobased economy by 2030, aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action). This transition reduces agriculture's carbon footprint to mitigate climate change. Biomass technologies contribute to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by reducing water pollutants. The Netherlands urges the UN to promote biomass technologies globally, which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide cost-effective solutions for farmers. Sustainable farming practices through these innovations will alleviate financial pressures, support livelihoods, and achieve long-term environmental goals. By 2030, the Netherlands targets sustainable use of 8 million hectares to support these. The Netherlands is committed to addressing global food security and nutrition. Over 20.8 million people, mainly children, have benefited from Dutch-funded programs, reducing malnutrition and improving nutrient intake. By 2030, the Netherlands aims to end malnutrition for 32 million people, doubling productivity and income for 8 million small-scale food producers. This supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The Netherlands proposes a two-pronged strategy to tackle food security and nutrition. First, it increases access to fortified foods and improves nutrient intake through large-scale nutrition programs. Second, by supporting small- scale farmers in productivity and resilience, the Netherlands strengthens food systems to ensure security for vulnerable populations. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Development cooperation with middle-income countries |
| Paper text: | |
| The Netherlands recognizes the importance of working closely with middle-income countries (MICs) to ensure sustainable development and address shared challenges. Middle-income countries face unique challenges, including inequality, environmental degradation, and the need for technological innovation to maintain economic growth. Though they have made significant progress, they often struggle with poverty, limited access to resources, and vulnerability to global economic fluctuations. The Netherlands' strategy for development cooperation with MICs focuses on reducing inequality (SDG 10), promoting sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), and fostering innovation and technological transfer to build resilient economies (SDG 9). By supporting MICs through tailored programs, the Netherlands aims to strengthen these nations' capacity for innovation while addressing poverty and inequality. Programs include enhancing agricultural productivity, improving infrastructure, and boosting access to clean energy and water, aligned with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The Netherlands encourages the UN to prioritize cooperation with MICs by providing technical assistance, capacity-building, and investments in green technologies. By fostering innovation and sustainable development in MICs, the global community can help reduce inequality and create more resilient economies capable of adapting to future challenges. Collaboration with MICs is essential for ensuring that progress is made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Netherlands is dedicated to advancing innovative agricultural practices and sustainable development strategies that align with multiple SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By promoting biomass technologies, sustainable farming practices, and development cooperation with middle-income countries, the Netherlands aims to collaborate with the UN and international partners to achieve global food security, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Rights of indigenous peoples |
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| Netherland advocates for the rights of indigenous peoples internationally, despite a small number within its own borders. The Dutch government promotes respect for the self- determination of indigenous peoples and hopes to expand assistance in this context as well, including land rights and culture. The Netherlands has played a leading role in establishing international frameworks that have influenced these recent and growing developments, such as the 2007-app-ratified United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The article sheds light on how the Dutch government assists indigenous peoples, especially those existing in Latin America and Southeast Asia who face existential challenges from land dispossession and environmental destruction. The Netherlands also acts as an intermediary to settle disputes between native communities and privately owned companies, ensuring such firms respect the indigenous land rights involved within contemporary human rights norms. For instance, projects funded by the Dutch government in South America allow indigenous people to monitor their territories and include tracking illegal operations. Oxfam Novib, among other Dutch charities help to support local communities in protecting their land from being deforested. Amongst these are land rights, and also the inclusion of indigenous rights into climate policies in The Netherlands: they write "the critical role that Indigenous peoples play in biodiversity conservation.". Initiatives that pose a threat to indigenous lands and do not support sustainable development are discouraged by the Dutch government. According to the essay, those efforts have not been sufficient, and struggles persist in getting corporations to pay for damages against Native American communities. The Dutch are also standing by their call for more effective international policies that respect the rights of indigenous people and fulfill necessary steps to include them in global environmental governance, such as through setting up Protection Mechanism 's. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Literacy for life |
| Paper text: | |
| The Netherlands advocates for a UN policy that increases adult literacy rates, specifically focusing on women and gender-diverse people through improved access to secondary education and post-secondary education classes about civic engagement. There is a gap in political participation between men and women linked to the literacy gap. Studies by UN Women show gender parity in the highest positions of power in political participation and civic engagement will take 130 years to achieve at the current rate. The gender gap in literacy rates is particularly concerning, as two-thirds of the 781 million adults in the world who cannot read and write are female identifying. To meet the UN's 2030 Sustainability Goals, The Netherlands believes the UN must do something to change this. Rights and equal access for women and gender-diverse people are deeply important to the Netherlands. the Netherlands believes they are apt to advance literacy rates in other countries to increase gender equality due to their high literacy rate. The Netherlands is ranked 3rd in the EU for gender equality and has ratified and implemented UN Resolution 1325, along with paying all their dues and attending the decadal UN Women Summits. The Netherlands financially supports UN programs that promote women's rights, aimed at better education opportunities for girls and encouraging political and economic participation by women. Due to the Netherlands' strong support of women and our commitment to education, they strongly advocate for a UN-sanctioned policy that will not only increase the adult literacy rate across the world but also bolster civic engagement for women and gender- diverse people. The Netherlands believes a policy of this nature will improve the current gender parity and literacy rate, helping the UN work towards its 2030 Sustainability Goals. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment |
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| The international community is experiencing an upheaval in the global commons; thus this body must implement the right to a clean and healthy environment. We have seen corporations globally try and succeed in destroying ecosystems as well as adding to their bottom line, all while people fight and die over land. In less wealthy countries, we see revolts against government officials on their lack of response to this issue, as well as more affluent countries publicly declare an issue, with no further steps taken place. In the interest of the global population as well as future generations, we are committed to seeing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment granted as a human right. We are also in favor of de-monopolizing companies that pollute these environments. In addition, we are committed to not only granting this as a human right but making this a legal stature for all UN members. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel |
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| In recent history in the wakes of political and humanitarian violence, we are committed to the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel as they do their work. Furthermore, we seek to set a global standard on the laws surrounding said personnel staff within international countries as well as domestic countries. This stature we hope will seek to cover the safety of the staff sent to these countries, as well as allowing for more aid to enter a country in the aftermath of destruction. We hope to see a more prosperous future for everyone and seek to aid more people. Therefore, let us push the agenda of a safer planet for all individuals, and thus leave a safer planet to future generations of humans and humanitarian staff. | |
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