Position Papers by Country

Position paper for Romania

Committee:	GA First
Topic:	Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures
Paper text:
One of the longest-lasting and largest topics of discussion in the United Nations has been the topic of disarmament. Developed almost simultaneously with the philosophy of Mutually-Assured Destruction (MAD), the concept of disarmament is a radical one. Many states do not want to give up their weapons for fear of being seen as weak and vulnerable, but if everyone dismantles their weapons, there is nothing "strong" to appear weak against. For these reasons, Romania supports the continued multilateral dialogue on global disarmament across all weapons categories. Arms races do nothing to assuage the concerns of the citizens whose lives we have been charged with protecting. They do not provide anything of value to global society, and they should have no place in societies of the future. Romania, as both an EU and NATO member state, ascribes to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Biological Weapons Conventions (BWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), among others. Romania would also like to acknowledge the increasing presence of autonomous weaponry, and believes that regulatory frameworks should be established to prevent unchecked development of these munitions. While Romania acknowledges that sovereign states ultimately have the right to defend themselves, we believe that it is in the best interests, not only of individual member states, but also globally, to achieve disarmament as quickly as is feasibly possible. We look forward to the continuing conversations with fellow delegations, and hope to reach a solution that works for all states.

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:
Despite many efforts otherwise, the proliferation of chemical weapons continues around the globe. Although all weapons bring severe harm to the global community, chemical weapons are particularly insidious due to their long-lasting and wide-reaching effects. Chemical weapons have been used to massacre peaceful communities, bring destruction to agricultural land, and disrupt the economies of the places they are utilized. For these reasons, along with many others, Romania strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons and urges the nations of the UN to continue to strive for non-proliferation of chemical weapons. Romania is very familiar with chemical weapons and their consequences, as a weapons development program was active under former leader Nicolae Ceausescu. These weapons were sold to the former USSR and likely used against civilian populations. This is a stain on Romania's history, and we reiterate that we are firmly opposed to the continuing spread of chemical weapons. Since re-democratization, Romania has made it a priority to push for multilateral resolutions that limit the development, production, and export of chemical weapons. We support stronger enforcement of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and support strengthening the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). We also support the continued implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), as these weapons are often developed jointly with chemical weapons. Romania encourages fellow sovereign states to continue their commitments to these conventions and looks forward to drafting new resolutions to try and curb the development and spread of new chemical weapons; and to reaching compromises to dismantle existing weapons.

Committee:	GA Second
Topic:	Agriculture development, food security and nutrition
Paper text:
i. Agriculture development, food security, and nutrition Amidst the vast array of issues the modern world continues to face, food security remains a steadfast dilemma. Ensuring the quantity and quality of nutritious sustenance for all has proven difficult in recent years with an influx of demand and volatile supply. These issues are exacerbated by domestic and foreign economic, armed, and political conflicts that act as catalysts, kick-starting large migrations of refugees. This includes those seeking asylum during wartime as well as those seeking greater economic opportunities, increased foreign interaction either for monetary gain or diplomacy, and further technological advancements. An influx of displaced people places stress on already fragile systems. All these factors culminate in an unstable environment where the volatility of agricultural ventures jeopardizes attempts at the current and future stabilization of global food security as well as widen economic disparities negatively impacting the average quality of life. As a state containing a large population of agricultural workers- including subsistence farmers and commercially owned farms- we aim to ensure the competent and reliable production, harvesting, and provision of foodstuffs as well as the future of sustainable and profitable agricultural practices. By incentivising the incorporation of sustainable practices, particularly those that bring with them the added benefit of ensuring crops higher in quality. We hope to achieve a reliably funded and cooperative system built on a global scale that is supported by all member states, and that aims to accomplish the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda and CAP Strategic Plan. With the help of member states, we aim to build a robust agricultural sector that significantly increases the viability of all agricultural ventures, both smaller and larger commercial entities. We call on member states to encourage the opening of an internationally interconnected system that expands economic avenues for both smaller subsistence farmers and larger corporate entities in an effort to promote sustainable business practices, quality foodstuffs, and stimulate the agricultural workforce. These actions supporting local and small-scale agriculture would also serve to decrease the monetary and opportunity disparity between urban and rural areas. It is our belief that these measures would work towards the goal of ending hunger internationally within our lifetimes.

Committee:	GA Second
Topic:	Development cooperation with middle-income countries
Paper text:
ii. Development cooperation with middle-income countries It has recently become clear to the global community that the transition from middle- income to high-income status can become a pitfall for many countries. The difficulties of progressing into the most advanced levels of industry can threaten to slow a state's economic development and bar them from the highest financial echelons. However, as a state that recently transitioned from middle income to high income status, it is our strong belief that the stagnation referred to as the Middle Income Trap is avoidable. Through our recent economic development while entering the European Union, it has become clear to us that improving economic policies and adapting industrial capacities can provide the stimulus needed to propel a country past middle-income level. This is a belief that we have already begun to act on, making regular contributions to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in order to assist other countries in their growth. However, middle-income countries can only progress with the assistance of the international community. Therefore, we call on the member states of the United Nations to create programs that would enable and incentivize countries to adopt improved economic policies. These include opening their domestic markets to competition, introducing regulations to strengthen their economies, developing infrastructure for material and human capital, disempowering corruption, and supporting the creation of new and competitive industries within their borders. While we recognize the different situations facing each state, it is our belief that these policies are indispensable tools for the development of all states. The delegation of Romania further encourages the United Nations to consider methods to improve the inclusion of middle-income countries in intergovernmental organizations and welcome them into the global market. We believe that through these processes, states can create sustainable, independent growth that will benefit their economies and the welfare of the international community.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Rights of indigenous peoples
Paper text:
i. Rights of Indigenous People We would like to begin by coming forth with our immediate concern regarding the issue of human rights and liberty as it pertains to Romania's indigenous populations, specifically the Roma community. We recognize that our fellow council members have previously put forth great effort in order to minimize structural corruption within our governmental system, and we have joined them in that process. However, it has become increasingly apparent that these issues are an extreme threat to the harmony and sanctity of our nation. Much of the Roma population is currently facing segregated schooling compiled with limited access to healthcare. This discrimination is furthered by the Roma population experiencing increased police brutality as well as discrimination by employers. Research initiatives, such as those fronted by the World Bank in 2002, provide adamant reasoning displaying that the issue of rights of indigenous peoples within a nation is better tackled as a group effort. While significant changes have been adapted, such as the further development of regional offices, indigenous groups such as the Roma still face significant discrimination in forms of inadequate living conditions, police brutality, and unemployment. It is our goal to distinguish societal and cultural ties between our nation's various communities, which must begin with proper representation in government as well as international support. We recognize the structural governmental integrity that stems by assuring a government that accurately reflects its population. With that being said, we have initiated great efforts to increase the governmental representation of indigenous peoples within our nation. It is our hope to gain support of our fellow UN members in order to continue the necessary and vital pursuit of liberty and equal rights for indigenous individuals.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Literacy for life
Paper text:
ii. Literacy for Life While proper education and literacy have grown to become concerns for much of the developing world, we as a nation are witnessing extreme challenges pertaining to access to literacy. This warrants immediate action from the greater global community within the United Nations. We as a nation enforce compulsory education for primary students; however, a lack of educational facilities compiled with improper resources and communal norms have evidently led to a nationwide concern for literacy. This was further exacerbated following a report released by Brio, which clearly states that "only 11% of students from grades 1-8 can understand and synthesize information from a text." It has constantly been a central goal of our government to decrease the illiteracy rates of our citizens through education improvement efforts such as the Educated Romania project. While this project streamlined new ideals for proper education, such as ensuring the necessary amount of resources as well as improving legal and organizational framework, research has displayed that illiteracy continues to be a developing problem for our nation. Furthermore, illiteracy rates are severely being impacted by immigration and the social norm of a short and timely education. Such concerns warrant strong and immediate attention from our fellow UN members in order to ensure that Romanian and global citizens are receiving a proper education and thus increasing their literacy rates. We as a nation have provided the necessary outline through our many pursuits of decreasing illiteracy rates; however, it has become apparent that our country lacks certain vital resources that are needed to pursue such an integral and urgent goal. It is our hope that through the assistance of our fellow UN members via allocation of resources or financial support, our nation will be able to effectively and efficiently combat increasing illiteracy rates on a systemic level.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
Paper text:
i. The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment As a nation, negative environmental impacts hinder the population's right to have a healthy environment. Current issues include poor soil health, which leads to erosion and desertification; pollution, which affects both water sources and the air; and contamination of the Danube delta wetlands. The Danube River runs through ten countries that all could struggle with polluted waters. Romania supports collaboration between countries in the Danube watershed to combat the poisoning of a critical river system. Furthermore, unsustainable practices have led to changes in global climate, which can be observed in an increase of weather-related natural disasters. Storm Boris hit Romania on Wednesday, September 11th, and flooded Galati County the following Friday and Saturday. Seven people died in the storm's flooding in Galati County; there have been over 5000 households impacted. Climate change is causing storms to be stronger and occur with greater frequencies, which impacts all sovereign nations around the world. Most climate change is caused by an excess of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere; greenhouse gasses are produced by extracting, refining, and consuming fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Currently, Romania relies on these fossil fuels to function. We believe that reducing our emissions and striving for clean energy is an important task to repair what damage has been caused. A current long-term plan is in place to reduce our emissions by 2050 so as to prevent further damage to the environment. We believe that other member states should follow a similar plan as there are countless ways to follow the ideas. Additionally, a carbon tax for transnational corporations to hold them accountable for their pollution is also supported. Collaboration between all United Nation member states to support one another when disasters ravage is imperative.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel
Paper text:
The safety and security of humanitarian personnel are crucial for effective humanitarian operations. Romania acknowledges the vital role of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security in coordinating high-risk missions and tackling the challenges of disinformation and insufficient training. Emergency Response Teams are essential for timely and successful crisis intervention. Romania supports deploying these teams to protect humanitarian personnel by providing immediate assistance and ensuring secure environments. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security should enhance the capacity of these teams through specialized training and advanced technology. Romania advocates for increased funding and resources to support Emergency Response Team operations, as outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014), which emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. Disinformation significantly threatens humanitarian operations, undermining trust and endangering personnel. Romania urges Member States to adopt comprehensive strategies to counter disinformation, including public awareness campaigns and collaboration with social media platforms to identify and mitigate false information. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 75/1 (2020) highlights the need for accurate information dissemination to combat misinformation. Romania also calls for establishing a dedicated task force within the United Nations Department of Safety and Security to monitor and respond to disinformation campaigns targeting humanitarian efforts. Training and capacity-building are essential for the safety and effectiveness of humanitarian personnel. Romania supports regular training programs focusing on security protocols, crisis management, and cultural sensitivity. The United Nations Charter (1945) underscores the importance of international cooperation in maintaining peace and security. Romania recommends developing a standardized training curriculum, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and regional bodies, to ensure consistent and comprehensive training for all humanitarian personnel.

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