TCMUN
DISEC
The United Nations Disarmament and International Security Committee
The United Nations (UN) Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) was created as the first of the Main Committees in the General Assembly when the charter of the United Nations was signed in 1945. Thus, DISEC is often referred to as the First Committee. DISEC was formed to respond to the need for an international forum to discuss peace and security issues among members of the international community. According to the UN Charter, the purpose of DISEC in the General Assembly is to establish ‘general principles of cooperation in the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments and also to give “recommendations with regard to such principles to the Members or to the Security Council.” Although DISEC cannot directly advise the Security Council’s decision-making process, the UN Charter explains that DISEC can suggest specific topics for Security Council consideration. Aside from its role in the General Assembly, DISEC is also an institution of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), formally named in January 1998 after the Secretary-General’s second special session on disarmament in 1982. The UNODA is concerned with disarmament at all levels—nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction, and conventional weapons—and assists DISEC through its work conducted in the General Assembly for substantive norm-setting support to further its disarmament initiatives.
Chairs
Topic 1:
Preventing Non-state Actors From Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction
Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) have been a major global security concern for decades. While these weapons are already dangerous in the hands of states, the risks become even more amplified if a non-state actor obtains one. Therefore, preventing the spread of such dangerous weapons is a constant issue at the United Nations. A non-state actor is a broad classification. It can include violent terrorist groups and influential political organizations such as political parties or large multinational corporations. Regardless of its mission, the UN has asserted on several occasions that non-state actors must not be allowed to have WMDs. The UN believes that this is essential to preserve global peace. WMDs put too many lives at stake. In this committee, delegates will consider what restrictions will keep WMDs in safe hands while not restricting the ability of non-state actors to complete their missions, which are not always violent. Delegates should also consider how governments and the UN can monitor the flow of weapons and sales to track WMDs. Delegates have a responsibility to maintain the peace and sovereignty of all states and their involved actors, and their resolutions in this debate will make that future possible.
Topic 2:
The Ethics of Surveillance Technology
The technological revolution of the past decade has created an intense debate about the ethics of international security. Surveillance technology refers to any device used to collect information about individuals or political groups. These devices are often used by militaries and governments to gather valuable intelligence. Examples of surveillance technology include wiretaps, cameras, and unmanned drones. However, citizens around the world also expect a right to privacy, protected by some international treaties. Currently, there are few international treaties regarding the right to privacy against military surveillance. Therefore, there has been little global oversight of these programs. Over 30 countries have admitted to tapping into phones, buying health data from apps, and even trying to roll out more advanced surveillance programs. Government leaders decry foreign spying, such as when the US was discovered spying on German chancellors. However, such surveillance is still believed to be quite common. In this debate, delegates must balance military needs with civilian rights on the technological frontier.