Position paper for Poland
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures |
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| The world is entering a page in history that is growing in length with the list of violence occurring, indicated by global defense spending jumping 6.4%. Terror attacks from non-state actors have gone on the rise in recent years, with a 22% increase in deaths, and especially in Africa, where over half of the deaths from terror occur. Peace must be achieved but not at all costs. General disarmament is one measure that has the potential to solve the problem, however, it is not infallible. The Republic of Poland believes that peace through means of disarmament is possible, so long as it is equitable and the law is adhered to. Poland believes in peace through law. While Poland has contributed to global disarmament, the Republic of Poland recognizes it has failed to achieve peace in the current climate. To this end, Poland believes that for the time being, the focus of the world should be moving for the disarmament of non state actors, rogue states, and other armed threats to stability, with a slower but steady process as well for more stable actors to decrease the risk that they could face when disarming. The Republic of Poland vehemently believes in the right to a Member State's self defense, and shall make no measures to prevent that capability of peaceful Member States. Poland believes that active defense measures should be made collaboratively between Member States to act as a proactive preparation against rogue states that are more inclined to violence, as well as international cooperation to actively disarm and, if need be, dissolve non-state actors by force. The use of existing alliances to move towards Poland sees it necessary to achieve peace, and is prepared to cooperate with member states to create whatever series of networks and collaborative efforts necessary to deter and prevent violence, including using existing frameworks. The Republic of Poland believes in the United Nations charters, and all measures signed that work to ensure peace and prevent violence. The spread and growth of violence is seen by Poland as counter intuitive towards many other goals of the United Nations, and sees the propagation of peace as a requirement to achieve the various goals of the UN which Poland also stands for. Disarmament is one means to achieve peace, but it must not deny peaceful states their ability to defend themselves | |
| 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 issue of chemical weapons is critical for global security and public health, thus there is an urgent need for international mechanisms to eliminate these weapons; failure to address the issue could result in increased use in conflicts, proliferation to non-state actors, and humanitarian crises. Significant progress has been made, including the establishment of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 1993 and the formation of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which has proven effective but faces challenges, particularly in conflict zones with no oversight. Resolutions 1540, 2118, and 2235 affirm the ongoing commitment to disarmament, and Poland has actively supported these efforts through financial contributions, participation in OPCW conferences, and domestic legislation that aligns with the CWC. Moving forward, Poland believes two key steps are necessary: first, to strengthen multilateral cooperation by enhancing funding and technical assistance for verification and compliance efforts, and second, to implement regional disarmament initiatives that focus on capacity-building for nations dealing with dual-use chemicals, thereby emphasizing transparency and a collective commitment to disarmament. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Agriculture development, food security and nutrition |
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| Agricultural development, nutrition, and food security are essential for survival and well- being, yet approximately 900 million people experience food insecurity. Much of this issue can be traced to limited market access for small-scale farmers and a lack of diverse farming. A review of 46 studies from developing countries found that diverse agricultural production helps enhance dietary diversity and nutrition, especially among smallholder households. Small farmers also directly combat food insecurity by providing fresh and nutritious diets to their communities. Recognizing these contributions, the UN has taken measures such as the Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDGs 2, 12, 13, and 15, to address this problem. Poland supports these international efforts and has contributed 3.9 million dollars to UN agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme. Despite these efforts, these organizations remain overburdened, with significant gaps in resources and coordination, especially in reaching the most vulnerable farming communities. In addition to its international contributions, Poland has also made national efforts such as the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy, supporting local farmers and ensuring a stable food supply. Poland's Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture helps distribute funds to Local Action Groups and modernizes agricultural practices through plans such as the Liaison Entre Actions de Developpement de l'Economie Rurale program. Poland believes that there should be two steps in acting against this problem. First, there should be global market access for small farmers. This allows fair trade opportunities and strengthens competition in international markets, improving the livelihoods of small farmers. Plus, this increases food availability globally. Second, promoting crop diversification reduces the risks posed by farming strategies like monocultural planting. A myriad of crops would not only boost food security but also protect biodiversity and soil health. Poland asks the international community to prompt farmers to adopt diverse agricultural strategies and reduce reliance on single crops. These two steps would help ensure sustainable farming practices, protect the long-term viability of agricultural land, and increase nutritional diversity. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Development cooperation with middle-income countries |
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| Over 5.5 billion people live in middle-income countries worldwide and are affected by food insecurity, climate, geopolitical tensions, sovereign debt burdens, and the cost of living. The United Nations has been active in addressing this problem in the past with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which strives to increase international support for middle- income countries. Poland has supported the work that has been done in the past by adopting the Multiannual Development Cooperation Programme, ratifying the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development., and has taken steps domestically to address these issues by increasing the Official Development Assistance to .33 percent of the gross national income by 2030 in addition to the Development Cooperation Act of 2011. However, global efforts to address this problem have been ineffective and more needs to be done as the global community needs a sustainable and safe world. Poland recommends that the following steps be taken to address this problem: First increasing contribution funding from high- income member countries for middle-income countries in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Second, cooperation between nations with accountability and human rights- based approach for development cooperation to provide sustainable development within middle-income countries. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Rights of indigenous peoples |
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| The rights of Indigenous peoples are an issue that every country should focus on because it's critical to ensure international justice, as Indigenous peoples are 3 times more likely to face poverty and account for 19% of the world's individuals in poverty. Poland commends the U.N. on passing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and urges Member States to continue to support decolonization efforts worldwide. Poland attended the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session in 2017. Poland will continue its commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and other foreign policies. Despite significant efforts, Poland believes UNDRIP falls short of its duties due to inconsistent implementation of the resolution. Poland urges the following steps to be taken to resolve the issue. First, incentivize countries slow to implement UNDRIP financially by assisting them with any monetary obstacles they may face in efficiently and effectively implementing policies. Second, incentivize countries with lower trade tariffs or barriers and earn preferential trade terms or investment opportunities. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Literacy for life |
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| Literacy for Life is the foundation for development and quality of life. The Polish government and citizens both want to advance a literacy for life agenda as much as possible to maximize Poland's potential because it leads to better life outcomes for all. If Literacy for Life initiatives fail to increase literacy rates for disadvantaged groups such as "the Roma community, Ukrainians and Belarussians" then they will have a lower quality of life. The average literacy rate in Poland is very high at 99%. The Roma, the Ukrainian and the Belarussian communities all face literacy rate challenges due to different cultural barriers, limited access to education and socioeconomic disadvantages. Poland firmly believes that Literacy for Life is a fundamental human right and is essential for sustainable development. Poland is committed to promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, ensuring that every individual has access to quality education. Poland supports international cooperation to enhance literacy rates globally, recognizing that education is pivotal in empowering individuals and fostering inclusive societies. Poland supports initiatives promoting Literacy for Life. For example, UNESCO leads global literacy initiatives and collaborates with Poland on various projects such as the Global Education Monitoring Report, implementation of UNESCO's Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy, and involvement in international conferences and meetings. There has been the "European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL) 2023", "The World Literacy Summit", "UNESCO International Literacy Day Celebrations." UNESCO is the primary UN agency that deals with Literacy for life and has helped the world achieve a high literacy rate. Poland believes the UN should prioritize inclusive and equitable access to quality education for all, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups. The UN should foster international cooperation to share best practices and resources, integrate digital literacy into educational curriculums, and support lifelong learning opportunities. Additionally, global campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize resources are essential to enhance literacy rates worldwide. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment |
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| It is pertinent that we take care of the environment we live in as each person's life, regardless of borders, is directly impacted by the state of the Earth. Poland has done an abundance of work towards the health and safety for all of those who live within the boundary lines. Poland has designated over $28 billion for financing thermo-modernization of buildings since 2018. Poland has also invested $7 billion in the modernization of water infrastructure, and $1 billion in the expansion of a waste-to-energy plant in Warsaw. The UN has worked diligently to fight for a sustainable environment for all, introducing The Paris Agreement. The UN also passed resolution 76/300 that reaffirms that the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a human right. Poland reached a 12.2% share of renewable energy sources in 2019 and aims to reach a renewable share of at least 23% by 2030. Poland is ambitious in regard to the EU climate target and hopes to slash 90% of the greenhouse gas emissions. It is important that not only Poland but other countries in the EU and around the world work diligently to reverse the effects of climate change, which can start by working together to create treaties like The Paris Agreement. Poland has put hard work into banning properties such as banning the burning of coal in private homes, and properties in the "anti-smog" law created in 2015. Poland is committed to fighting climate change and ensuring adherence with EU and United Nations law and encourages other states to make this issue a priority. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel |
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| The United Nations provides over 100,000 military and peacekeeping personnel to help give countries stability, safety, resources, and healthcare. These UN personnel range from 120 countries willing to provide aid in crisis, but in recent years the safety of UN personnel has been threatened to where proper aid can no longer be provided to communities. The death toll from July 2023 through June 2023, was at an all-time high with 219 UN personnel and 172 humanitarian personnel. To help combat these high numbers, Poland has signed onto the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel and the 2005 Optional Protocol to the Convention. The United Nations also established the Independent Panel on Safety and Security of United Nations Personnel and Premises Worldwide to discuss the reoccurring issue and any progress that's been made. Poland continues to support this cause by maintaining a safe political climate and cooperating with the UN to better secure each country's respective territory and borders for the safety of UN personnel. Despite these efforts, the safety and security of international personnel must be supported by all Member States. However, countries struggling with political turmoil or having not signed the 1994 or the 2005 Optional Protocol hinder that safety and security. Poland calls for all Member States to sign onto these two conventions and contribute to the amount of active UN personnel. As of 2024, less than half of all Member States have signed on to these two conventions. With the rising death toll of UN Personnel and the increased risk of abduction and harassment, the United Nations will no longer have the manpower to help countries in crisis. | |
| Committee: | ECOSOC |
| Topic: | Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality |
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| Worldwide, 71% of people on the planet now reside in places where inequality has increased. Inequality stunts global development, increases instability, and jeopardizes efforts to promote peace; demonstrating how urgent it is to address these problems, particularly in marginalized communities. United Nations programs like UN Women, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Human Rights Council, and the Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 16 have all contributed to the goals of combating global discrimination, promoting inclusive education, and advancing gender equality. By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Poland has demonstrated its strong support for these initiatives. Poland has also taken steps domestically to close the gender pay gap, expand digital infrastructure, and guarantee rural residents access to education. Even so, more effort is still required globally to address enduring disparities. To ensure that underprivileged and rural communities can engage fully in the economic, political, and academic realms Poland suggests an emphasis on biodiversity and digital infrastructure. The loss of biodiversity contributes to inequality by worsening the effects of climate change. This affects livelihoods, public health, and access to energy, water, and nutrition, frequently resulting in displacement. The preservation of biodiversity strengthens local economies, encourages sustainable agriculture, and increases food security. Furthermore, it is imperative to collaborate on an international and regional scale to upgrade digital and educational infrastructure by ensuring equal access to high-speed internet and quality equipment. These steps will decrease inequality, increase inclusivity, and advance sustainable infrastructure. | |
| Committee: | ECOSOC |
| Topic: | Science, technology and innovation for development |
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| Science, technology, and innovation remain crucial pillars to enhance comprehensive development globally. Poland is dedicated to improving cybersecurity, supporting science and education, bolstering gender equality, and enhancing global cooperation. In the last year, Poland has become the most cyber attacked country in the world with over 1,000 cyber attacks per week. This danger extends beyond all borders and has the potential to manifest in the most distant regions of the globe. To address this threat, Poland has announced the allocation of 3 billion zlotys. This funding will create an annually renewed Cybersecurity Fund, establish a cyber shield, employ dedicated cybersecurity specialists, and computer security incident response teams. Poland will not sit idly by and urges Member States to diligently combat this growing threat that seeks to take advantage of global instability. Furthermore, Poland remains a staunch supporter of education to bolster its nation's scientists. This year, the Polish government has moved to separate the existing Ministry of Education and Science into a Ministry of Science and Higher Education and a Ministry of National Education. No longer will science be "hidden in the shadow of education". In doing so, science will remain an integral part of Poland's success. Additionally, Poland pledges to allocate an additional 180 million zlotys to The Polish Academy of Sciences and increase spending on science by 22 percent, or an increase of 1.6 billion, with additional salary raises for researchers by 30 percent. This year, Poland has the highest percentage of women in science and technology in Europe with over 52% of its workforce being women. It is imperative that this body make every effort to ensure women are supported in IT fields. In working to improve science, technology, and innovation Poland emphasizes the importance of enhancing global cooperation to address these issues by bridging digital divides, improving technology and information sharing, and supporting global initiatives. Together we can build a brighter world for generations to come. | |
| Committee: | COI-1948 |
| Topic: | United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan |
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| Having received an Article 35 complaint from both India and Pakistan regarding the unfolding situation in Kashmir. A Commision of Inquiry has been established pursuant to Article 34 with the goal of mediating the dispute and recommending a course of action to the Security Council. The facts of the case have been established as such: On August 14, 1947 the state of Pakistan was created following the dissolution of the territory formerly known as British Raj. This territory comprises princely states and territories that primarily identify as Muslum in culture and governance. On August 15, 1947 the state of India was established, grouping the princely states and territories that primarily identify as Hindu in culture and governance. At the time of the establishment of India and Pakistan, the territory of Kashmir was independently governed separate from the territorial claims and governance of both states. Although independent Kashmir shares cultural, religious, and economic ties with Pakistan, the government of Kashmir shares close ties with the government of the state of India. On October 26, 1947 Kashmir was incorporated into India after Maharaja Hari Singh seeded all control over the region. Questions to be answered: What evidence is there that the tribal raiders are receiving direct support from or acting on the behalf of the government of Pakistan? What evidence can be provided that supports the claims of genocide against the Muslims of Kashmir? What role did the British government and its representative Lord Mountbatten play in arranging the transfer of control of the territory from the Maharaja to the Indian government? What steps have been taken to ensure that the people of Kashmir are supportive of giving up autonomy in favor of control by the Indian government? In answering these questions, the Commission can gather evidence pertaining to the individual claims of India and Pakistan while also ensuring that the transfer of power occurred in a manner that is in line with international law and the desires of the people of Kashmir. Individuals to be questioned: Lord Mountbatten, Maharaja Hari Singh, the representative of the Indian Government, the minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. | |
| Committee: | COI-1948 |
| Topic: | The United Nations Committee of Good Offices on the Indonesian Question |
| Paper text: | |
| Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 31 passed August 25, 1947 a committee of good offices has been established to assist the parties in the settlement of their dispute stemming from the breakdown of the Linggadjati Agreement. The facts of the case have been established as such: Indonesia having transferred possession multiple times as a result of WWII, has multiple governments with conflicting claims to sovereignty and territorial control. The Dutch government whose exclusive control of the islands was ended by the Japanese invasion claims the islands as Dutch territory. Leaders empowered by Japanese authorities asserted the independence of the territory of Indonesia on August 17, 1945. Dutch control over the territory was reestablished in October, 1945 by British troops who would turn over responsibility for the islands to Dutch soldiers and administrators by June 1946. The Dutch government has been unable to establish exclusive control over the entirety of the territory but has managed to regain control over sections of the territory with varying degrees of resistance. The Linggadjati Agreement established the terms of recognition and power sharing but it has since fallen apart over accusations of non compliance. Questions to be answered: What is the furthest extent of advancement by Dutch forces? What economic and physical resources were granted to the Republic of Indonesia under previous agreements? What is the current state of those resources? What evidence can be provided to establish proof of violations of the cease fire and the Linggadjati Agreement? Is the blockade of the Republic of Indonesia a violation of the terms that were agreed to by both parties? What evidence can be offered supporting the allegation of continued support for guerillas operating in Dutch territory? What transpired in the village of Rawagede on December 9, 1947? These questions will help to establish a record of alleged violations and allow for evidence to be gathered to support or refute the claims of the parties. Individuals to be questioned: Sukaro, Mohammad Hatta, Dirk Reinhard Adelbert van Langen. Additionally, access to the village of Rawagede and its surviving inhabitants should be made available so that the details of the incident may be ascertained by a representative of the commission. | |
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