POSITION PAPER

COMMITTEE: Special Political and

Decolonisation Committee
(SPECPOL)
TOPIC: Improving and ensuring the
safety of atomic energy production
COUNTRY: Ukraine

Atomic energy is a type of electricity generated by nuclear reactions, most commonly

through the process of nuclear fission. The nucleus of an atom is split into smaller nuclei
during nuclear fission, releasing a large amount of energy. Nuclear power plants use this
energy to generate electricity. As a low-carbon energy source, it has the potential to provide
a clean and abundant source of electricity and can help to mitigate climate change.

Despite being a clean energy resource, nuclear waste disposal remains a challenge
because it is radioactive for long periods of time and requires safe and secure storage.
Atomic radiation contains cesium-137 and iodine-131, which can cause cancer and other
health effects, and when acting on genetic material, radiation can cause mutations and
other diseases; thus, it is critical to properly dispose of nuclear waste to avoid diseases.

Atomic energy has been used to generate electricity for a long time, dating back to the
1950s with the first experimental nuclear power plants. Several incidents, however, highlight
the misuse of nuclear power plants.

The Fukushima disaster, which occurred in 2011 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Plant, was one of the most devastating nuclear events in history. Due to maintenance
issues, the plant was unable to protect itself from a tsunami caused by a magnitude 9.0
earthquake. The plant experienced a power outage, causing the cooling systems for the
reactors to shut down. This caused the nuclear fuel rods in the reactors to melt, releasing
massive amounts of radiation into the environment. It demonstrated the consequences of
improperly maneuvered power plants and prompted all nations to reconsider the safety of
nuclear power plants. The Chernobyl disaster, which occurred in 1986 at the Number Four
RBMK reactor in Chernobyl, was a devastating event that rendered one of Ukraine's most
important cities uninhabitable and useless. It was the unfortunate result of a badly flawed
Soviet-era reactor design combined with human error.

Ukraine, having seen firsthand how lax nuclear power plant maintenance affects nations
and lands, refuses to sit back and watch such an innovative and vital source of energy be
treated with negligence and carelessness. This is why Ukraine believes that atomic energy
should be treated as a resource for the community and nation, rather than a weapon.
Ukraine recognizes that improving international peace and security and promoting nuclear
disarmament mutually complement and strengthen one another, which is why we present
the following resolution:

● To ensure the international community's safety, nuclear disarmament should be

encouraged in member states that own power plants. Nuclear-weapon states should
take steps to reduce the operational status of their nuclear weapon systems, and
nuclear-weapon states should be extra transparent about their use of nuclear energy
to avoid, to the greatest extent possible, any misunderstanding or conflict over such
a sensitive issue; and every effort should be made to avoid any type of nuclear war.
● Each country that uses atomic energy as a source of electricity should implement
safety regulations. We support the IAEA's goal of developing safety standards and
guidelines, which can be enhanced with international cooperation. A country should
not refuse safety checks because they are only done for the benefit of the entire
world.
● Countries that require financial and technical assistance should receive it, and
nuclear infrastructure development should be managed creatively. Member states
should collaborate to assist those in need, and countries with nuclear energy
capabilities should be welcoming to those without, taking into account their positions
on the subject.
● Education and awareness about the dangers of nuclear power plant misuse should
be spread globally so that more people are aware of this critical issue. Nuclear
energy research should be expanded, as is being done by the United Nations
Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) so that we can
continue to learn and develop our goals.

Ukraine is a firm believer in global peace and thus continues to support the peaceful use of
nuclear energy. Because atomic energy is a finite resource, we believe it is preferable to
use it to make the world a better place.