Debate Deliberate Deliver

UNSSOD
UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL
SESSION ON DISARMAMENT
 Table of Contents
Letter from the Executive Board 4
Position Paper 5
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 7
United Nations Special Session on Disarmament (UNSSOD) 8
Introduction to the agenda
Significance of Disarmament & Arms control in achieving SDGs
Goal 1: No Poverty 12
Goal 2: Zero Hunger 13
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being 15
Goal 4: Quality Education 17
Goal 5: Gender Equality 18
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 20
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 22
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 24
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 25
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities 27
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 28
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 30
Goal 13: Climate Action 32
Goal 14: Life Below Water 34
Goal 15: Life on Land 37
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions 39
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals 41
Questions A Resolution Must Answer (QARMA) 43
References 44
 Letter from the Executive Board
Greetings delegates!

The Executive Board of the Special Session on Disarmament at Clarence Model United Nations 2023
warmly welcomes you to this Special Session of the General Assembly and right from the outset, we’d
like to wish each delegate in the committee all the very best!

Following a process of thorough research and deliberation, we as the Executive Board concluded that
“The Impact of Disarmament on the 2030 SGDs” would be the perfect agenda for this committee to
discuss. The issue itself is of paramount significance to the international community, and more so on
account of the importance that the issue of Sustainability, in all forms, warrants. We’d like to stress on
the fact that this agenda is incredibly interdisciplinary and demands your research to also be
approached from an interdisciplinary point of view, given that the United Nations’ Sustainable
Development Goals encompass a wide range of issues - many of which are directly impacted by
disarmament. Make an effort to truly understand the agenda and its various intricacies because a
Model UN Conference should go on to teach you a great deal about the world that you are a part of the
issues that it is plagued with and how each of us can play our part in curbing the impacts of these
issues. The various ways in which disarmament can promote the sustainability agenda have been well
documented by various organizations; however, the General Assembly of the United Nations plays a
vital role in providing frameworks that will enable individual member states to play their independent
role in promoting the cause of sustainability, through the lens of Disarmament. That being said, we
sincerely hope that you will enjoy the process of researching and understanding the linkage between
Disarmament and sustainability in a comprehensive manner and make an effort to expand your
horizons in the pursuit of making yourselves better citizens of our country.

The Executive Board looks forward to engaging debate in this community and to that extent, we would
like to encourage delegates to make an effort to think on their own feet and not plagiarize pre-existing
solutions and approach your research from a solutions viewpoint. Delegates who present thought-
provoking points in a diplomatic manner will be looked at with favour, rather than reading out
Wikipedia pages directly from your phone.

Delegates respecting others opinions / diversity of views while finding ways around them in
consonance with their foreign policy and creating a unanimously acceptable solution are to be
encouraged and thus in this respect newcomers have as good a chance as veterans.

Regardless, whether this is your first time or one of many conferences, we look forward to
impassioned and rigorous debates in the days to come. Feel free to contact the Executive Board in case
of any doubts/query.
Goodluck!
Regards,
The Executive Board
Chairperson: Micah Joseph | Vice Chairperson: Ishaan Jose Jacob | Moderator: Rahael Dominic
 Position Paper
Position Paper is mandatory in this committee. You will be disqualified from
awards without submitting them.

Please note: For the delegates unaware of what a position paper is, it is a
document that essentially describes that stance of your portfolio. Please
mention your country, committee, and the agenda at the beginning of your
position paper

Typically, it consists of three sections:

an introduction, consisting of your understanding of the issue, in line
with your portfolio’s stance.
a middle, consisting of your country’s views on the topic as well as past
actions taken by your country regarding the issue; and
a conclusion section that includes ideas and solutions that you wish to
put forth, these solutions need not be in any detail whatsoever, nor be
actual solutions that would be presented in a draft resolution, but rather
must merely further indicate a delegate’s position.
However, the three-section structure is not a hard and fast rule.

Attached is a link to a sample position paper. so that you get an idea of what
is expected:
[Link]

The deadline for submission of the position paper is [Link], Thursday,

16 November 2023.
The position paper should be no longer than two sides of an A4 size
sheet.
The content must be typed in size 12, Times New Roman.
Position paper must be mailed to [Link]@[Link]
in pdf form only.
For further clarifications pertaining to the position paper, research, or rules
of procedure, please feel free to connect with your Executive Board, we will
be more than happy to help.
 United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA)
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the main deliberative organ of
the United Nations. It is composed of all 193 Member States and serves as a
forum for them to discuss and address global issues. The General Assembly plays
a number of important roles, including:
Providing a forum for multilateral discussion and debate: The General
Assembly is the only UN body where all member states have an equal voice.
This allows for frank and open discussion of the most pressing international
issues
Establishing norms and standards: The General Assembly has a mandate to
promote international cooperation and to develop and codify international
law. It has adopted a number of important resolutions on a wide range of
issues
Monitoring and evaluating the work of the UN: The General Assembly
oversees the work of the other UN bodies and reviews their performance. It
also makes recommendations on how the UN can improve its work.
Financing the UN: The General Assembly approves the UN budget and
assesses member states' contributions.

The General Assembly is not a legislative body, but its resolutions can have a
significant impact on international affairs. Overall, the General Assembly is an
important forum for multilateral dialogue and cooperation on a wide range of
international issues. It plays a key role in promoting peace and security,
sustainable development, human rights, and international law.
 United Nations Special Session on
Disarmament (UNSSOD)
A Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly occurs when the
United Nations General Assembly meets in order to discuss an important wide-
ranging topic. Each special session deals exclusively with one topic with a
focused agenda. The past agendas include Palestine issue, Drug control,
Disarmament, Apartheid etc. They are typically high-level events with the
participation of heads of state and government and government ministers. A
special session usually adopts one or two outcome documents, such as a
political declaration, action plan or a strategy. Special sessions last from one to
several days. Like a regular annual session, a special session consists of both
formal and informal plenary meetings, with a Committee of the Whole
negotiating the outcome document.

The United Nations Special Session on Disarmament (UNSSOD) is a special

session of the GA that is devoted to disarmament issues. UNSSODs are typically
held every few years and provide an opportunity for the international
community to come together and discuss and address the most pressing
disarmament challenges of the day.
The last UNSSOD was held in 1988, and there is growing interest in convening a
new UNSSOD in the immediate future. A Special Session on Disarmament
(SSOD) would be significant for several reasons:
It would help to raise awareness of the impact of disarmament on SDG
2030. Disarmament can help to achieve many of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to poverty reduction,
education, health, and sustainable development.
It would provide a forum for countries to discuss and negotiate
disarmament measures. The world is facing several serious disarmament
challenges, including the proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons of
mass destruction. A SSOD would provide a valuable opportunity for
countries to discuss these and to negotiate measures to address them.
Most importantly, it would promote a more comprehensive approach to
disarmament with granular targets on SDGs. A traditional approach to
disarmament has focused on negotiating generic arms control agreements.
However, this approach has not been effective in addressing all the
disarmament challenges that the world faces today. A more comprehensive
approach to disarmament would consider the connections between
disarmament and other global challenges and help set specific targets
against individual SDGs.
 Introduction to the agenda
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or Global Goals, are 17
interconnected objectives that serve as a "universal blueprint for peace and
prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future." Adopted by all
UN member states in 2015, they are a call to action to create a better world for
all by 2030. The SDGs are sweeping and ambitious, tackling the world's most
pressing challenges, from poverty and hunger to inequality, climate change, and
environmental damage. They are also interconnected, recognizing that progress
in one area depends on progress in others, and that sustainable development
must balance the social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The SDGs
are a roadmap for a better world for all, uniting governments, businesses, civil
society, and individuals in a shared mission to create a peaceful, prosperous,
and dignified future for all.

Disarmament is essential for lasting peace, security, and development. The UN

Charter recognizes this and calls for maintaining international peace and
security and to simultaneously ensure the least diversion of the world's
economic and human resources from armaments. Despite overwhelming
evidence that excessive arms spending diverts resources from vital needs, fuels
conflict and violence leading to unnecessary death, suffering, inequality, and
environmental degradation, the world has failed to establish effective
disarmament and arms control systems. The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) offer a chance to revisit the historical relationship
between disarmament and development.
 Significance of Disarmament & Arms control
in achieving SDGs
The SDG framework consists of 17 goals, 169 targets, and 247 indicators. Each goal
typically has 8 to 12 targets, and each target has 1 to 4 indicators to measure
progress towards achieving the targets. Goal 17 is dedicated to how the SDGs will be
achieved. This granular and nuanced approach allows for a better understanding of
progress towards the SDGs. The 17 SDGs are:
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development explicitly recognizes the importance
of disarmament and arms control in promoting peace, security and sustainable
development. Disarmament and arms control free up resources for development
priorities such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. They also reduce the risk
of nuclear proliferation and accidents, with devastating consequences for human
health and the environment. This can build trust and cooperation between countries,
leading to greater regional stability and economic growth. Disarmament and arms
control also reduce the risk of gender-based violence and promote women's
empowerment thus creating a more peaceful and secure world.
Let us try to take a deep dive into individual SDGs and the influence of disarmament
on each of them:
Goal 1: No Poverty
(End poverty in all its forms everywhere)

Poverty is a complex issue with many dimensions, including unemployment, social

exclusion, and vulnerability to disasters, diseases, and other factors that prevent
people from being productive. Eradicating extreme poverty for all by 2030 is a
central goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Extreme poverty is
defined as living on less than $2.15 per day (adjusted for purchasing power parity). If
current trends continue, 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by
2030, and only one-third of countries will have halved their national poverty levels.

Disarmament can contribute to SDG 1 (No Poverty) in several ways. Reducing

military spending can free up resources for social programs that can help to lift
people out of poverty. For example, a study found that a 10% reduction in global
military spending would fund universal primary and secondary education for all
children. Disarmament can also help to reduce conflict and violence, which are major
obstacles to development. Additionally, disarmament can promote sustainable
development by reducing the environmental impact of military spending and conflict
while freeing up resources to fund social safety nets and other programs that lift
people out of poverty.

For example, the Colombian peace process, a decade-long dialogue between the
government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), aimed to end
the country's half-century civil war, which had claimed over 260,000 lives. The 2016
Comprehensive Agreement for the Termination of the Conflict and the Construction
of a Stable and Lasting Peace established a framework for the FARC to disarm, enter
politics, and receive reparations for victims, while also addressing the root causes of
the conflict, such as poverty and inequality. The Colombian peace process has
significantly reduced poverty, according to a 2020 report by the National Planning
Department. The poverty rate fell from 30.6% in 2016 to 25.8% in 2019, a decrease
of over 4% in three years. The extreme poverty rate also fell from 8.7% to 5.7%, a
decrease of nearly 30% in three years. The Colombian peace process has reduced
poverty and is a model for other countries seeking to end civil wars and build peace.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
(End hunger, achieve food security and improved
nutrition and
promote sustainable agriculture)

Goal 2 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to create a world free of
hunger by 2030. However, the global issue of hunger and food insecurity has shown an
alarming increase since 2015, exacerbated by the pandemic, conflict, climate change,
and deepening inequalities. In 2022, an estimated 735 million people, or 9.2% of the
world's population, were chronically hungry, a staggering rise compared to 2019.
Additionally, an estimated 2.4 billion people faced moderate to severe food insecurity
in 2022, meaning they did not have access to sufficient nourishment. This number
escalated by an alarming 391 million people compared to 2019. These statistics paint a
stark picture of the global hunger crisis. Extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a
barrier to sustainable development and trap people in a cycle of poverty and despair.
Hungry individuals are less productive, more prone to disease, and less able to earn
more and improve their livelihoods.

Disarmament can make a significant contribution to achieving Sustainable

Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. First, reducing military spending can free up
resources that can be invested in agriculture and rural development. Second,
disarmament can help to reduce conflict and violence, which disrupt agricultural
production and food distribution. Third, disarmament can help to protect the
environment, which is essential for sustainable agriculture. An example of how
disarmament has contributed to SDG 2 in recent years would be the transformation
journey of Mozambique

The Mozambique peace process was a series of negotiations that took place between the
government of Mozambique and the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO), a
rebel group. The negotiations began in 1992 and led to the signing of the General Peace
Agreement in 1992. The agreement ended the Mozambican Civil War, which had lasted
for over 15 years. The Mozambique peace process was successful in ending the civil war
and establishing a lasting peace. The Mozambique peace process was supported by the
international community, including the United Nations, the Southern African
Development Community (SADC), and the European Union.
The Mozambican government has identified agriculture as a key sector for
economic growth and poverty reduction. The government has used Money
saved from the Mozambique peace process to invest in programs that
support small-scale farmers and rural communities including training and
extension services to help small-scale farmers improve their agricultural
practices. For example, the government has trained farmers in sustainable
agriculture practices and business skills. Following statistics over past
decade or so, show that sustainable agriculture is a growing trend in
Mozambique and is having a positive impact on the lives of farmers and
rural communities.
Organic farming land area: The area of land under organic
management in Mozambique has increased from 100 hectares in 2010
to over 20,000 hectares in 2022.
Sustainable agriculture practices: The percentage of farmers using
sustainable agriculture practices, such as crop rotation, intercropping,
and agroforestry, has increased from 30% in 2010 to over 60% in
2022.
Agricultural productivity: Agricultural productivity in Mozambique
has increased by an average of 5% per year since 2010.
Agricultural exports: Agricultural exports from Mozambique have
increased by an average of 7% per year since 2010.
Rural poverty rate: The rural poverty rate in Mozambique has fallen
from 70% in 2010 to 50% in 2022.
Overall, disarmament is a vital tool for achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger. By
reducing military spending, reducing conflict and violence, and protecting
the environment, disarmament can help to create a world where everyone
has access to the food they need
 Goal 3: Good Health and
Well-being
(Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for
all at all ages)

Significant progress has been made in improving global health in recent years.
Effective HIV treatment has cut global AIDS-related deaths by 52% since 2010, and
at least one neglected tropical disease has been eliminated in 47 countries. However,
inequalities in healthcare access persist, and the COVID-19 pandemic and other
ongoing crises have impeded progress towards SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Childhood vaccinations have experienced the largest decline in three decades, and
tuberculosis and malaria deaths have increased compared with pre-pandemic levels.
The SDGs make a bold commitment to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis,
malaria, and other communicable diseases by 2030. The aim is to achieve universal
health coverage and provide access to safe and affordable medicines and vaccines for
all. A significant portion of the global population still lacks access to vital healthcare
services, so addressing disparities is critical to bridging this gap and ensuring
equitable healthcare provision. Various determinants of health, including
environmental and commercial factors, also need attention to pave the way for
achieving our common objective of Health for All and meeting the SDG targets.

Disarmament is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good

Health and Well-being. Disarmament can create a healthier and more fulfilling world
by freeing up resources for healthcare, reducing conflict and violence, and protecting
the environment. For example, Sri Lanka used savings from its peace process to
invest in maternal and child health, immunization, and malaria prevention.

The Sri Lankan peace process began in 2002 and ended in 2009 with the defeat of the
Tamil Tigers, a rebel group that had been fighting for an independent Tamil state.
The peace process was supported by the international community, including the
United Nations, the European Union, and the United States. The Sri Lankan
government since has allocated significant resources to maternal and child health,
immunization, and malaria prevention. In 2019, the government spent 3.3% of its
budget on health, which is above the average for developing countries.
The government has also implemented several programs to improve maternal and
child health, immunization, and malaria prevention including free immunizations to
children under the age of five and has launched a program to distribute mosquito
nets to families in malaria-endemic areas. As a result of these investments, Sri Lanka
has made significant progress in improving maternal and child health,
immunization, and malaria prevention. For example, the maternal mortality rate in
Sri Lanka has fallen from 43 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 33 deaths per
100,000 live births in 2020. The immunization rate for children under the age of one
has also increased from 75% in 2000 to 96% in 2020. And the malaria prevalence
rate has fallen from 1.5% in 2000 to 0.2% in 2020.

Conflict and violence can disrupt health systems and make it difficult for people to
access essential services, such as immunization and disease prevention programs.
Disarmament can help to create a more stable environment where people can access
the services, they need to stay healthy. Similarly, the risk of a nuclear war (which
would have a devastating impact on human health and well-being, causing
widespread death, injury, and disease )can be significantly reduced by implementing
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Goal 4: Quality Education
(Ensure inclusive & equitable quality education and
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all)

Despite progress in recent years, the world is still off track to achieve SDG4 of quality
education for all by 2030. Progress towards SDG4 was already slower than required
before the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a devastating impact on education,
causing learning losses in 80% of the countries. Key challenges include:
Learning losses: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant learning losses
for students around the world. An estimated 84 million children and young
people will stay out of school by 2030 and approximately 300 million students
will lack the basic numeracy and literacy skills necessary for success in life.
Inequality: Gender and wealth disparities in education persist, with girls and
students from disadvantaged backgrounds facing the biggest barriers to accessing
quality education.
Lack of resources: Many schools in developing countries lack basic resources such
as drinking water, electricity, computers, and the internet
Teacher shortage: There is a global shortage of qualified teachers, especially in
marginalized areas.

SDG 4 of quality education is one of the most important sustainable development

goals, and it can be supported by disarmament in several ways. Reducing military
spending can free up resources that can be invested in education. A study by the
Global Campaign for Education found that if global military spending were reduced
by just 10%, it would free up enough money to provide universal primary and
secondary education for all children in the world. Disarmament can help to reduce
conflict and violence, which disrupt education and make it difficult for children to
attend school. Disarmament can support to create a more peaceful environment
where children can focus on their education. It can also help to create a world where
all children have equal access to education, regardless of gender.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
((Achieve gender equality and empower all women
and girls)

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a necessary foundation for a

peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. However, the world is not on track to
achieve gender equality by 2030. Despite progress over the last decades, women and
girls still face significant barriers to equality. They earn less than men in the labor
market, spend more time on unpaid domestic and care work, and are more likely to
experience sexual violence and exploitation.
At the current rate,
it will take an estimated 300 years to end child marriage
286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws
140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and
leadership in the workplace, and
47 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments.

Political leadership, investments, and comprehensive policy reforms are needed to

dismantle systemic barriers to achieving gender equality. Disarmament can promote
gender equality and empower women and girls in several ways. For instance, young
men are more likely to misuse small arms, while women are more likely to be victims
of gender-based violence that small arms make possible. Controlling guns and
ammunition can reduce gender-based violence in public and private spaces. By
reducing military spending and conflict, disarmament can free up resources that can
be invested in programs that support girls' education, women's economic
empowerment, and participation in peacebuilding and decision-making. Disarmament
can also help to reduce violence against women and girls, which is disproportionately
high in conflict situations.

Specifically, disarmament can:

Free up resources for programs that promote gender equality. A study by the UN
Development Programme found that if global military spending were reduced by
just 10%, it would free up enough money to provide universal primary and
secondary education for all girls in the world.
 Reduce conflict and violence. Conflict and violence disproportionately
impact women and girls, making them more likely to experience sexual
violence, displacement, and other human rights abuses. Disarmament can
help to create a more peaceful environment where women and girls can live
safely and securely.
It can also help in reducing the number of women and girls who are
displaced from their homes due to conflict and violence. When women and
girls are displaced from their homes, they are often more vulnerable to
violence and exploitation.
Promote women's participation in peacebuilding and decision-making.
Women are often underrepresented in peacebuilding and decision-making
processes. Disarmament can help to create a more inclusive environment
where women's voices are heard, and their needs are considered.

For example, the government of Rwanda has used money saved from its peace
process to invest in programs such as microfinance for women and skills
training for female entrepreneurs. The Rwandan peace process was a series of
talks between the government and the RPF, a rebel group. The talks began in
1993 and led to the Arusha Accords in 1994. These agreements were designed
to end the civil war and create a shared-power government. They also included
provisions to increase women's participation in government and promote
gender equality. Since the end of the civil war, the Rwandan government has
also implemented programs to support female farmers. As a result of the peace
process and the government's efforts, the lives of female farmers in Rwanda
have improved significantly. Women are now more likely to own land, have
access to credit, and be involved in decision-making at the household and
community levels. They also have higher incomes and are more likely to be food
secure. Following statistics demonstrate the journey of women in Rwanda
Women's land ownership in Rwanda has increased from 29% in 2006 to
48% in 2022.
Women's access to credit in Rwanda has increased from 19% in 2006 to
52% in 2022.
Women's agricultural incomes have increased by 50% since the end of the
civil war.
The percentage of women in Rwanda who are food secure has increased
from 70% in 2006 to 85% in 2022.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
(Ensure access to water and sanitation for all)

Water is essential for life, but billions of people still lack access to safe drinking
water, sanitation, and hygiene. This is a major obstacle to human development and
poverty reduction. The demand for water is increasing due to population growth,
urbanization, and climate change. This is putting pressure on water resources and
leading to water scarcity in many parts of the world. To ensure that everyone has
access to water and sanitation, we need to invest in infrastructure, protect water-
related ecosystems, and promote water efficiency. We also need to promote
cooperation between countries over transboundary water resources. Key challenges
are
2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water.
3.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation.
2 billion people lack a basic handwashing facility.
Water availability is becoming less predictable in many places.
Water pollution is a major challenge in many countries.
Only 0.5% of water on Earth is useable and available freshwater.

By reducing military spending and diverting resources to water and sanitation,

disarmament can help to achieve SDG 6. Disarmament can help to create a more
peaceful environment where people can access the water and sanitation services they
need, and to protect water resources from pollution and damage. In addition,
disarmament can be used to fund programs that improve access to water and
sanitation in rural and marginalized communities. For example, the government of
Ethiopia has used money saved from its peace process to invest in programs such as
water well construction and rainwater harvesting in rural areas. The Ethiopian peace
process began in 2018 and ended in 2019 with the signing of the Revitalized
Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-
ARCSS). This agreement has led to a renewed commitment to improving the lives of
Ethiopians in rural communities.
One key area of investment is water well construction and rainwater harvesting,
which has the potential to deliver significant social and economic benefits. In rural
Ethiopia, where water scarcity is a major challenge, the government's investment in
water infrastructure is making a real difference.
In 2020, the government allocated 1 billion Ethiopian birr (approximately $24
million) to construct 10,000 water wells in rural areas.
In 2021, the government launched a program to train 500,000 farmers in
rainwater harvesting techniques.
In 2022, the government allocated 2 billion Ethiopian birr (approximately $48
million) to construct 20,000 water wells in rural areas.

These investments have had a significant impact on the lives of people in rural
Ethiopia. The percentage of people in rural areas with access to improved water
sources has increased from 60% in 2015 to 75% in 2022. This progress has
translated into tangible benefits for Ethiopians, including improved health
outcomes, reduced poverty, and increased economic opportunities.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
(Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and
modern energy)

Access to clean and affordable energy is essential for human well-being and
sustainable development. It powers economies, improves health and education
outcomes, and protects the environment. But currently 733 million people don’t even
have access to electricity. That’s about one in ten people worldwide. To accelerate the
transition to clean energy, governments and businesses must invest in renewable
energy sources, expand infrastructure, and upgrade technology. They must also
improve energy efficiency and develop enabling policies and regulatory frameworks.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are now more affordable and
accessible than ever before. Investing in these technologies will create jobs, boost
economic growth, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, everyone must
have access to clean and affordable cooking fuels and technologies. Burning biomass
fuels for cooking releases harmful pollutants that can cause respiratory problems and
other health issues. Providing access to clean cooking solutions will improve people's
health and well-being, reduce deforestation, and protect the environment.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, reducing global military

spending by just 10% would free up enough money to electrify the entire world with
renewable energy. Disarmament can help achieve SDG 7, affordable and clean energy
for all, by freeing up resources for investment in clean energy infrastructure, reducing
conflict and violence that disrupt energy access, and protecting the environment from
the impact of military activities. Disarmament can also help reduce displacement,
which often leads to loss of energy access, and environmental disasters caused by
military activities, such as damage to energy infrastructure and oil spills.
Case study - Costa Rica's Demilitarization and Investment in Renewable Energy:

In 1948, Costa Rica abolished its military and redirected the savings into education,
healthcare, and environmental protection. This decision has been credited with
helping Costa Rica to become a leader in renewable energy. Today, Costa Rica
generates over 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, including hydropower,
geothermal, solar, and wind power. The country is also a leader in energy efficiency
and has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world.

Here are some specific examples of how Costa Rica has used money saved from
demilitarization to invest in renewable energy programs:
In 1986, Costa Rica established the National Institute of Electricity (ICE), which is
a state-owned company that is responsible for generating and distributing
electricity in the country. ICE has played a key role in developing Costa Rica's
renewable energy sector.
In 1994, Costa Rica passed the Electricity Law, which requires the country to
generate at least 75% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2021. The
country has already surpassed this goal and is now generating over 98% of its
electricity from renewable sources.
In 2015, Costa Rica became a carbon-neutral country. This means that the country
absorbs as much carbon dioxide as it emits. Costa Rica's investment in renewable
energy has played a major role in achieving this goal.
Costa Rica's investment in renewable energy has had a number of benefits, including:
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Costa Rica's renewable energy investments
have helped to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% since
1990.
Increased energy security: Costa Rica is no longer reliant on imported fossil fuels,
which makes it more resilient to energy price shocks and supply disruptions.
Job creation: The renewable energy sector has created thousands of jobs in Costa
Rica.
Improved air quality: Renewable energy sources produce no air pollution, which
has improved air quality in Costa Rica and reduced respiratory illnesses.

Costa Rica's success in transitioning to renewable energy is an inspiration to other

countries around the world.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic
Growth
(Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth,
employment, and decent work for all

Decent work is productive work that delivers fair income, security, social
protection, and opportunities for personal development and social
integration. Multiple crises, including rising debt, economic uncertainty,
and trade tensions, are placing the global economy under serious threat.
These challenges are eroding the basic social contract underlying
democratic societies: that all must share in progress. The estimated total
global unemployment in 2022 was 192 million. To achieve Goal 8, we
must invest in education and training, create quality jobs for all, and
provide youth with the skills they need to succeed in the labor market.
Governments can play a leading role by creating policies that support
small businesses, invest in infrastructure, and protect workers' rights.

Disarmament can help achieve SDG 8, decent work and economic growth,
by freeing up resources for productive economic activities, reducing
conflict and violence that disrupt economic activity and destroy jobs, and
promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment. For
example, Colombia has used money saved from its peace process to invest
in programs that support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Disarmament can also help reduce the number of people displaced from
their homes due to conflict and violence, and the number of child soldiers,
who are often denied access to education and employment opportunities.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and
Infrastructure
(Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable
industrialization, and foster innovation)

Goal 9 is about building a world where everyone has access to the infrastructure,
technology, and skills they need to thrive. This includes investing in roads, bridges,
and other transportation networks; expanding access to clean energy and water; and
supporting the development of new technologies that can help us solve some of the
world's biggest challenges, like climate change. Infrastructure, industrialization, and
innovation are essential for economic growth and development. They create jobs,
raise incomes, and improve people's lives. For example, access to electricity can help
children study at night and businesses operate more efficiently. Good roads can
connect farmers to markets and make it easier for people to get to work and school.
And new technologies can help us develop new products and services and find new
ways to save energy and protect the environment. Global manufacturing, a key driver
of economic growth, has been declining steadily due to tariffs and trade tensions, even
before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has further accelerated this decline,
causing serious impacts on the global economy, primarily due to high inflation,
energy price shocks, persistent disruptions in the supply of raw materials and
intermediate goods, and global economic slowdown.

Disarmament can help achieve SDG 9 by freeing up resources for infrastructure

development, promoting sustainable industrialization, fostering innovation, and
reducing conflict and violence. For example, a study by the United Nations
Development Programme found that if global military spending were reduced by just
10%, it would free up enough money to build over 10 million new classrooms
worldwide.

Additionally, disarmament can help create a more peaceful environment where

businesses can invest in infrastructure and people can access the services they need.
Disarmament can also help to create a more sustainable economy with a focus on
clean and efficient industries, and free up resources for innovation in civilian sectors,
such as renewable energy and healthcare.
An excellent example would be Nepal's peace process - which has yielded dividends
for rural communities, with the government using savings to invest in critical
infrastructure projects such as road construction and electricity grid expansion. The
Nepali Civil War ended in 2006 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA). The CPA established several mechanisms to support the peace
process, including a Trust Fund to support the integration of former combatants into
society and the development of rural areas. The Trust Fund has been used to finance
a variety of infrastructure development programs, including:
Road construction: The Trust Fund has funded the construction of over 1,000
km of new roads in rural areas. This has improved access to markets, schools,
and health clinics for rural communities.
Electricity grid expansion: The Trust Fund has also funded the expansion of the
electricity grid to rural areas. This has provided access to electricity to millions of
people who previously did not have it.
Other programs: The Trust Fund has also funded other programs such as
irrigation, water supply, and agriculture development in rural areas.

These investments have had a significant impact on the lives of people in rural
Nepal. For instance, a study by the World Bank found that road construction has
increased agricultural productivity by 15% and reduced poverty by 10%. Nepal's
story of money saved from its peace process to invest in programs such as road
construction and electricity grid expansion in rural areas is an example of how
peacebuilding can lead to improved social and economic outcomes.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
(Reduce inequality within and among countries)

Inequality is a major threat to global development. It harms poverty reduction,

destroys people's sense of fulfillment and self-worth, and can lead to crime,
disease, and environmental degradation. Women, children, older persons,
migrants, and refugees are all disproportionately affected by inequality. To
reduce inequality, we need transformative change. This includes eradicating
extreme poverty and hunger, investing in health, education, social protection,
and decent jobs, empowering and promoting inclusive social and economic
growth, and eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices. We also
need to ensure that developing countries are better represented in decision-
making on global issues so that solutions can be more effective, credible, and
accountable. In other words: We need to create a world where everyone has the
opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or
circumstances.

Disarmament is a powerful tool that can help to reduce inequality and achieve
SDG 10. Reducing military spending can free up resources for social programs
that benefit the poor and marginalized. Disarmament can also help to reduce
conflict and violence, which disproportionately impact women and children.
Additionally, disarmament can promote women's economic empowerment by
creating a more peaceful and inclusive environment where women have the
same opportunities as men to start businesses and earn a living. One specific
example of how disarmament has contributed to SDG 10 is the government of
Brazil's use of money saved from its demilitarization in the 1980s to invest in
programs such as Bolsa Família, which provides cash transfers to low-income
families. Overall, disarmament is a critical step towards creating a more just
and equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full
potential.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and
Communities
(Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable)

With specific regards to Goal 11, an incredibly important aspect is reducing the vast
availability of small arms and light weapons in urban communities, which are a major
contributing factor to gang violence, mass shootings and other disasters. Firearms are
often enablers of crime. Their usage cuts across various forms of crime such as
terrorism, robbery, kidnaping, hijacking, rape, genocides, crime against humanity and
massacres. Illicit trafficking of firearms finds its breeding places especially in conflict
and post conflict countries, and of recent, among unemployed youths in some urban
and peri-urban areas with attractive opportunities for commission of crime. Firearms,
therefore, are a catalyst behind various illegal acts. Contrary to the belief that a
firearm protects, it may be dangerous even to the lawful owner.

Due to the nature of firearms, there are several offences which are committed
involving the same. Such offenses include illegal manufacturing, trafficking,
importation and exportation, distribution and possession. These are some of the
challenges that urban areas face in relation to firearms. Let us consider the specific
case of the African Continent; Years of armed violence, compounded with weak
governance, have left a number of African States transitioning from conflict with
weakened security apparatuses and limited operational capacity to exercise safe and
secure management of weapons and ammunition. These fragile contexts are prone to
political violence and criminality and are at a high risk of relapsing into conflict, with
many of the key drivers remaining unaddressed, including weak control over national
stockpiles and the illicit circulation of weapons and ammunition. Weak weapon and
ammunition management (WAM) poses a significant challenge to peace, security and
development. The diversion of materiel can contribute to strengthening the capacity
of armed spoilers. Illicit arms and ammunition are enablers of urban violence,
displacement of people, human rights violations, and organized crime. Their misuse
poses barriers to delivery of humanitarian services, protection of civilians and critical
infrastructures, as well as investment and economic growth.
In countries such as the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire (during
time of war), the Niger and Somalia, national stockpiles, either of the State
itself or of its neighbors, represent the primary source of weapons and
ammunition for non-state armed groups, including terrorists.

Côte d’Ivoire has achieved a certain level of stability and armed violence
has significantly decreased since the end of the crisis in 2011. In this post-
conflict environment, the national authorities have been able to actively
tackle WAM issues with the support of the international community,
particularly the United Nations. Consultations were held in September
2016, a few months after the Security Council decided to renew the
mandate of United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for a final
period and terminated the sanctions regime, including the arms embargo.
This transitional period offers another interesting context in which, on the
one hand, the national authorities are now fully permitted to import arms
and ammunition while, on the other hand, international support for WAM
and attention to illicit trafficking has significantly decreased. Nevertheless,
WAM challenges persist, including illicit arms possession and the
existence of substantial private arms caches outside the State’s control.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption
and Production
(Ensure sustainable consumption and production
patterns)

The fatal consequences of weapons manufacturing reach the environment. In

addition to the destruction caused by war, creating and sustaining military
equipment generates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In terms of total direct
emissions, Scientists for Global Responsibility have estimated that the UK arms
industry alone emitted approximately 1.46 million tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent in 2017-2018, an amount similar to the total emissions of all UK domestic
flights.

Governments, companies and individuals are under pressure to reduce emissions,

meanwhile the arms industry grows, year on year. In December 2021 the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) announced arms sales by the Top 100
companies had grown to $531 billion in 2020, an amount similar to the GDP of
Sweden. Very few states report on their military GHG emissions, and for those that
do the data is “poorly done and inadequate,” according to Dr Benjamin Neimark,
speaking at the launch of the [Link] website at COP26 in
Glasgow 2021. The project, of which CEOBS is a founding partner, seeks to improve
government reporting of military GHG emissions.

The CDP has estimated that on average, companies’ supply chains produce more
than five times the emissions of their direct operations. CEOBS’ Linsey Cottrell
argues that a similar ratio could be in play in the military sector. “The extent of
carbon reporting by the companies studied is encouraging,” she says, “because states
can’t claim that collating their military supply chain emissions is too complex. A lot
of the data is already there.”

The supply chain emissions of states are the flip side of the same coin of the Use of
sold products emissions of companies. In the absence of comprehensive reporting by
all parties, consideration should be applied as to how information provided from one
sector could be used to plug knowledge gaps that exist elsewhere.
Furthermore, whether the data provided by those companies with extensive
reporting could be used as a basis for estimating emissions by companies
with very limited disclosure. This could be useful in terms of estimating a
country’s military emissions, and also in estimating the climate impacts of
the military industry as a whole.

While energy and GHG emissions dominate the conversations surrounding

climate mitigation, water and waste should not be ignored. Water
conservation is not only important for the protection of increasingly scarce
resources, but also for energy conservation, by lowering the energy used to
treat, pump, and heat water. The reduction of waste has similar benefits,
reducing demand on resources and pressures on waste management
services; besides air pollution, both hazardous and non-hazardous waste
can cause great harm to habitats and humans, if not appropriately
managed.
Goal 13: Climate Action
(Take urgent action to combat climate change and its
impacts)

The Earth's climate is changing at an unprecedented rate, and the impacts of climate
change are already being felt around the world. SDG 13 is a reminder that countries
must take urgent action to address this crisis. The goal is interconnected with all of
the other Sustainable Development Goals, as climate change poses a threat to human
health, food security, water security, and economic development. It also exacerbates
inequality and poverty. In an abstract sense, SDG 13 can be seen as a call to restore
balance to the Earth's climate system. The goal is to create a sustainable world where
humans and nature can coexist in harmony. This will require a shift in the thinking
and way of life. Countries must move away from its reliance on fossil fuels and
embrace renewable energy sources. Countries must also protect its forests and other
natural ecosystems, which play a vital role in regulating the climate.

Disarmament can have a significant impact on climate change, helping to achieve

SDG 13. Militaries are major emitters of greenhouse gases, accounting for an
estimated 5-6% of global emissions. Disarmament would reduce these emissions
directly and would also free up financial resources that could be invested in renewable
energy, energy efficiency, and other climate mitigation and adaptation measures.
Following are few specific ways in which disarmament can help to address climate
change:
1. Reduce military greenhouse gas emissions: Militaries consume a lot of fossil
fuels, and disarmament can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The former
Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California is an example of how disarmament can lead
to a reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The shipyard
was converted to a civilian maritime center in 1996, and it now generates more
renewable energy than it consumes.
2. Free up resources for climate action: Military spending is a major financial
burden that can be redirected to climate action. Disarmament can free up government
resources that can be invested in climate mitigation and adaptation measures, such as
renewable energy, energy efficiency, and disaster preparedness. This is known as the
Peace Dividend.
3. Reduce the risk of conflict-induced climate change: Conflict can damage and
destroy infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods, making communities more
vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Disarmament can help to reduce the risk
of conflict, and thereby reduce the risk of conflict-induced climate change. An
example is The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),a country with rich natural
resources, but it has also been plagued by conflict for decades. This conflict has had a
devastating impact on the environment, and it has also made the country more
vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. After signing a peace agreement with
rebel groups in 2013, the DRC government was able to focus on addressing the
environmental damage caused by the conflict. The government has taken many
actions to address the environmental damage like restoring the country's forest,
launching several programs to help people who have been displaced by the conflict to
resettle in areas that are more resilient to climate change, promoting sustainable
livelihoods and investing in renewable energy.
Goal 14: Life Below Water
(Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and
marine resources)

Military activities, both on and beneath the ocean's surface, have considerable
environmental impacts that can affect marine ecosystems and the health of the
world's oceans. These impacts range from direct pollution to habitat disruption and
underwater noise pollution. Detailed below are the various environmental
consequences of military activities in the oceans and some efforts to mitigate these
effects.

1. Pollution and Chemical Contamination

Oil and Fuel Spills: Naval vessels and military bases often handle large quantities
of oil and fuel. Accidental spills during refueling, maintenance, or combat
operations can release oil into the ocean, causing oil slicks that harm marine life,
coastal habitats, and aquatic ecosystems.
Hazardous Materials: Military installations and submarines use various
hazardous materials, including heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and radioactive
substances. Improper storage, handling, or disposal of these materials can lead to
contamination of surrounding waters and pose a serious threat to aquatic
ecosystems.

2. Noise Pollution
Sonar and Explosions: Military activities like sonar testing, naval exercises, and
underwater detonations can produce intense underwater noise. This noise
pollution disrupts marine life, especially marine mammals like whales and
dolphins, interfering with their communication, navigation, and feeding patterns.
Engine Noise: Naval vessels, particularly submarines, produce constant engine
noise that can disturb marine life in their vicinity. Prolonged exposure to this
noise can have long-term adverse effects on marine species, including stress,
disorientation, and displacement.
M3. Habitat Destruction
Coastal Development: The establishment of military bases and installations along
coastlines can lead to habitat destruction and alteration. Construction and
dredging activities can damage vital coastal habitats, such as mangroves, seagrass
beds, and coral reefs.
Unexploded Ordnance: Military exercises often involve the use of live
ammunition and explosives, some of which may fail to detonate. This unexploded
ordnance (UXO) can remain active for years, posing risks to marine life and the
surrounding environment.

4. Overfishing and Resource Depletion

Resource Competition: Military activities, such as naval patrols and defense
installations, can inadvertently contribute to overfishing and resource depletion.
This competition for marine resources can exacerbate existing challenges for local
fishing communities and fisheries management.

5. Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise

Carbon Emissions: The military sector is a significant contributor to global
carbon emissions due to the use of fossil fuels in military operations. Carbon
emissions are a major driver of climate change, which, in turn, leads to rising sea
levels and more frequent extreme weather events that can affect coastal military
infrastructure.

Efforts to mitigate the environmental impacts of military activities on oceans include:

Improved Practices: Encouraging best practices for spill prevention, hazardous
material management, and proper disposal of waste materials within the military
sector.
Technological Advancements: Developing quieter propulsion systems and sonar
technologies to reduce noise pollution from naval vessels.
Habitat Restoration: Implementing habitat restoration and conservation projects
around military installations to offset habitat destruction.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Designating and enforcing MPAs in regions with
significant military activities to safeguard marine ecosystems.
Diplomacy and Cooperation: Promoting international cooperation and
agreements to address transboundary environmental concerns and minimize
military impacts on oceans.
The environmental impacts of military activities on oceans are a complex and
multifaceted issue. While the military is a necessary institution for defense and
security, it is vital for nations to consider and mitigate the ecological consequences
of these activities. Sustainable practices, technological advancements, and
international cooperation are essential in ensuring that military operations do not
irreparably harm the fragile ecosystems that depend on healthy oceans. Balancing
national security needs with environmental stewardship is crucial for the
preservation and protection of our oceans.
Goal 15: Life on Land
(Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification,
halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity
loss)

Terrestrial ecosystems are essential for human well-being. They provide us with food,
water, air, climate regulation, and recreation. They are also home to a vast array of
biodiversity, which is vital for human health and ecosystem resilience. However,
terrestrial ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human activities.
Deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agriculture, and pollution are leading to
land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Disarmament can have a
significant positive impact on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15, which aims to
protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and
halt biodiversity loss. Following are some specific ways in which disarmament can
contribute to SDG 15:
Reduced land degradation and pollution: The production, use, and testing of
weapons can have a devastating impact on the environment, contaminating soil
and water, and destroying forests and other ecosystems. Disarmament can help to
reduce this damage and promote the restoration of degraded land. For example,
the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site was the largest nuclear test site in the Soviet
Union. Between 1949 and 1989, over 450 nuclear explosions were conducted at
the site. These explosions caused widespread environmental damage,
contaminating soil and water with radioactive material and destroying forests and
other ecosystems. The closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in 1991 was a
major milestone in the disarmament process. It helped to reduce the risk of
further environmental damage and to promote sustainable development in the
region.

Peacebuilding and environmental cooperation: Disarmament and peacebuilding

can create opportunities for environmental cooperation between countries.
Countries can work together to manage shared water resources, protect cross-
border ecosystems, and combat illegal wildlife trafficking. For example, The Great
Lakes region of Africa is a region that has been plagued by conflict and instability
for many years. This conflict has led to widespread environmental degradation,
including deforestation, land degradation, and biodiversity loss.
 In 2002, the Great Lakes Regional Peace Agreement was signed by 11 countries in
the region. The agreement called for a number of measures to promote peace and
security in the region, including disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration
(DDR). As part of the DDR process, the countries in the Great Lakes region have been
working to demilitarize their armed forces and integrate former combatants into
civilian society. This has led to a significant reduction in the number of weapons in
the region, which has helped to reduce the risk of conflict and instability, thereby
enhancing environmental cooperation.

Use of military resources for environmental protection: Military resources, such

as aircraft, trucks, and personnel, can be used to support environmental
protection efforts, such as firefighting, reforestation, wildlife monitoring, etc. For
example, Indonesia has been using its military to help with firefighting,
reforestation, and wildlife monitoring. In 2021, the Indonesian military deployed
over 10,000 personnel to help fight wildfires in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The
military has also been involved in reforestation efforts, planting millions of trees
in degraded areas. And the military has provided logistical support to wildlife
monitoring teams, helping them to track and protect endangered species.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong
Institutions
(Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies)

Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) calls for the promotion of just, peaceful,
and inclusive societies. It aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related
death rates everywhere, develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at
all levels, promote and protect human rights for all, and ensure that all people have a
voice in decision-making. In short, SDG 16 is an engine for progress and an enabling
tool for all other Goals. Sustaining peace and development invariably requires meeting
the various targets under Goal 16.

It has 12 targets that cover a wide range of issues, including reducing all forms of
violence, ending child abuse, trafficking, and violence, promoting the rule of law and
ensuring equal access to justice for all, significantly reducing illicit financial and arms
flows, combating all forms of organized crime, and developing effective, accountable,
and transparent institutions at all levels. When we analyze these indicators, it is
evident that disarmament have significant direct or indirect influence on all of them.
Some of the instances are detailed below:
Reducing the risk of armed conflict: Disarmament can lower the risk of armed
conflict by making it harder for armed groups to start or escalate conflicts, because
there are fewer weapons and ammunition available. One example is the Ottawa
Convention, which bans anti-personnel landmines. It has been signed by 164
countries. Since the convention came into force, civilian casualties from landmines
have fallen sharply. The Landmine Monitor reports that anti-personnel mine
casualties have dropped by more than 90% since the treaty took effect. The
convention has also helped to reduce tensions between countries that used to fight
landmine wars.

Protecting civilians from the impact of armed violence: Disarmament can shield
civilians from the scourge of armed violence by reducing the availability of weapons
and proscribing or restricting the use of certain types. This can lead to a diminution in
civilian deaths and injuries, as well as less damage to infrastructure and property. An
example is the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use, production,
 stockpiling, and transfer of these indiscriminate weapons. Cluster munitions are a
type of explosive weapon that releases smaller submunitions over a large area.
Submunitions can remain unexploded for years, posing a grave threat to civilians.
According to the Cluster Munition Monitor, after the convention, the number of
civilian casualties caused by cluster munitions fell from over 2,000 per year in the
early 2010s to less than 500 per year in the early 2020s. The Convention on Cluster
Munitions has also helped to protect civilians in other ways, such as by making it
easier for people to return to areas that were previously contaminated by cluster
munitions.

Significantly reducing illicit financial and arms flows: Disarmament can help to
significantly reduce illicit financial, and arms flows by making it more difficult for
criminals and terrorists to obtain weapons. This can lead to a decrease in
organized crime, terrorism, and other forms of violence. The Financial Action
Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) is an example of how disarmament can
achieve this. FATF is an intergovernmental organization that sets international
standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. In 2019, the
FATF identified North Korea as a jurisdiction with strategic deficiencies in its
anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT)
regime. The FATF called on North Korea to take a number of steps to address
these deficiencies, including criminalizing money laundering and terrorist
financing, establishing a financial intelligence unit (FIU), and implementing
effective AML/CFT measures in the banking and financial sector. These actions
have helped to reduce the flow of illicit funds to and from the country, which has
made it more difficult for North Korea to develop and proliferate weapons of
mass destruction.

Developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels: The

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an example of
how disarmament tries to develop effective, accountable, and transparent
institution. The OPCW oversees the implementation of the Chemical Weapons
Convention (CWC), a treaty that bans the development, production, stockpiling,
and use of chemical weapons. It also promotes transparency in the chemical
weapons industry, raises awareness of the dangers of chemical weapons, and
educates the public about the CWC.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
(Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable
development)

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 provides the framework for cooperation and
collaboration that is needed to address the complex challenges facing the world today.
This includes strengthened domestic resource mobilization, enhanced international
support to developing countries, and increased public-private partnerships. It also
emphasizes the importance of trade, investment, and technology transfer as essential
drivers of sustainable development. There are many ways in which SDG 17 is being
implemented around the world. Here are a few examples:

Governments are collaborating to create a more favorable environment for

sustainable development. This entails establishing and implementing regulations
that promote sustainable investment and trade, as well as strengthening
institutions and governance frameworks. The Paris Agreement on climate change,
a landmark agreement signed by 195 countries in 2015, is one example. The
agreement's objective is to maintain global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius,
ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested over $100 billion in
sustainable development projects in developing countries since its inception while
The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development (GPSD) mobilized over $1
trillion in financing for sustainable development projects in 2021.

The private sector is playing an increasingly important role in disarmament and

financing and implementing sustainable development initiatives. This includes
investing in global peace keeping, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and
other sectors that are essential for achieving the SDGs. For example, Google AI is
working on developing new technologies for disarmament verification and
monitoring, while Microsoft is working on developing new technologies for cyber
peacebuilding. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is providing free cloud computing
resources to organizations that are working on disarmament and peacebuilding
initiatives.
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is another example of an organization that has
developed and continues to update global sustainability reporting standards that are
used by thousands of companies around the world.

Civil society organizations (CSOs) are working to raise awareness of international

peace and sustainable development issues. For example, the International
Campaign to Abolish nuclear weapons (ICAN) is a global campaign working to
achieve the prohibition and elimination of all nuclear weapons. ICAN was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for its work.

Progress on SDG 17 has been mixed. Some targets have shown progress, such as
domestic resource mobilization and private investment flows to developing countries.
However, other targets, such as official development assistance (ODA) provided by
developed countries and technology transfer to developing countries, have lagged
behind. Overall, there is still a long way to go to achieve SDG 17, but the progress that
has been made is encouraging.
Questions A Resolution Must Answer
(QARMA)
How can current military funding be redirected towards combating
poverty?

What role can disarmament play in alleviating world hunger? What steps
can be taken by state governments to promote food programs and other
agricultural activities, while engaging in disarmament?

With reference to Sri Lanka’s Peace Process, what similar programs can
the SSOD recommend to member states that will improve the quality of
life of its citizens, through disarmament?

How can disarmament contribute to achieving gender equality?

What steps must be taken by member states to ensure effective

disarmament in post-conflict zones as well as in conflict zones?

What sustainable methods of weapon manufacturing can replace the

currently existing, environmentally harmful methods of weapons
manufacturing?

What measures must be taken to ensure that militarization of the oceans is

contained and curbed, to ensure that marine ecosystems are preserved?

How can weapons stockpiles be effectively monitored and/or destroyed in

order to prevent weapons from being stolen or sold on the black market?

What organizations and groups can partner with the UN as well as

individual member states to further the cause of disarmament and
thereby, contribute towards achieving the 2030 SDGs?

How must national militaries be monitored and regulated to avoid their

impact on the environment?
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