The First Committee, otherwise known as the Disarmament and International Security Committee, or DISEC, is one of the six main bodies of the United Nations General Assembly. Heading now into its 76th session, the DISEC has convened each year, since its establishment in 1945, in October and November to address all matters related to disarmament, security and threats to peace that affect the international community. More recently, DISEC has undertaken the task of facilitating sustainable development; each of its agenda items aligns with those of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The 17 goals of the 2030 agenda are related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. Specializing in security matters, DISEC has a unique role in the attainment of the SDGs. Without peace in the international system, the 2030 SDGs remain out of reach. All 193 Member States of the United Nations are invited to attend DISEC’s 76th session and contribute to discussion and collaboration to draft policy pertaining to this year’s agenda. 

Delegates will be tasked with revisiting the Comprehensive Ban on Nuclear Test Treaty (CTBT), opened for signature in 1996 and still remaining without the votes necessary to be adopted by the First Committee. The CTBT remains the only treaty of its type: discussed on the floor of the General Assembly on an annual basis, though it has not been able to be put into force. In today’s global climate, there is not much reason to assume the Treaty would pass as is. Thus, delegates will be tasked with considering the original document, bringing it up to date and altering it in such a way in which DISEC can adopt it. Specifically, delegates will be asked to consider three main issues related to nuclear development, testing and disarmament: Reducing the production of nuclear weapon components, governing the use of nuclear materials and the environmentally-safe disposal of nuclear weapons. In doing so, the First Committee will come closer to the attainment of the SDGs, specifically 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Email: sdg16@mcmun.org

Chair

Elisabeth Hedström

Vice-Chair

Elisa Sharps

Vice-Chair

Victoire de Pous

Vice-Chair

Ioanna Tzima