Major Update 1: Consensus on Major Issues

Major Update 1: Consensus on Major Issues

During the UN's different committees' rounds of discussion, three major issues were discussed, namely the AIDS epidemic, biological weapons, and alternative energy in Africa. Countries generally reached a consensus on the major issues, with no big players opposing the general consensus.
AIDS (WHO and UNDP)
Delegates from countries as diverse as Algeria, Turkey, India, Ukraine and North Korea (DPRK) have consensus on the issue of the AIDS epidemic worldwide, with most nations agreeing to halt the spread of AIDS. Norway's representative in the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Tania Harsono proposed six points of action to be proposed in the final resolution, namely

1. Peer-support groups for infected youths
2. Easier access to information, testing and counseling
3. Global access to condoms
4. Highly active anti-retroviral treatment programs
5. Enlargement of global funds
6. Volunteer force for all of the above

These goals, while considered to be in line with the UN's Millennium Goals, were well-received by delegates in the UNDP, with Canada joining Norway action plan by proposing scholarships for students participating in AIDS-related events and fields of study.

On another front, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the United Kingdom (UK) agree to the need for cheaper drugs and the need for general education in the public. The UK went further to suggest that both the private and public sectors must participate in the process for developing drugs to combat AIDS, but that focus and money must be directed towards developing cheaper drugs.

Algeria shares Norway's concerns over immigrants bringing in AIDS to their own country, due to refugees. In Algeria, though they have a low rate of AIDS transmission, with only 9000 out of 2 million people having contracted AIDS, the majority of those infected are immigrants from neighboring countries. They propose that Norway be an ally for Algeria on this issue.

Within the WHO, prevention methods were top priority, with education and research the informal consensus on methodology. In particular, Italy has provided money for education programs, and has conducted workshops in Africa to support these programs. Jordan and Syria, likewise, support initiatives for education and prevention, but are primarily concerned with sex trade and the influence of other countries' populations on their own transmission rates.

Bolivia and Haiti stand together on issues, even though their circumstances are vastly different. In Bolivia, neighboring countries with rates of transmission much higher than those of their own have prompted them to support the motion to defeat AIDS, while also recognizing (separately from the UK and MSF) the importance of producing cheap drugs to vaccinate and combat AIDS. Haiti, on the other hand, has one of the highest transmission rates of HIV outside of sub-Saharan Africa, and appeals to the international community for a strategic plan for help to solve its AIDS problem in conjunction with their domestic violence problem for small arms control.

DPRK, however, preferred to focus on only sex education, and claim that their 99% literacy rate does not warrant any more general education. Additionally, their delegates stated a preference for internal action, with foreign aid towards AIDS programs welcome.
Biological Weapons (BW) (GA1)
Turkey is leading a movement to create a new international agency, with supporters such as Ukraine and Canada backing them to create an IAEA-like agency to monitor stockpiles of biological weapons. Ukraine and Canada want to allow countries that already have BWs to keep their current stock of weapons, but to allow those weapons to be inspected and accounted for, while prohibiting other countries from developing them. In a separate interview, Ukraine also wished to see a clause that allowed countries to maintain secrecy over their stockpiles too. They are likely backed by the United States.

Palestine delegates have stated their agreement with the disarmament of BWs in order to "make the world a better place to live.. [and]... bring peace". Other middle-eastern countries such as Afghanistan back the opposition to the US possessing BWs "for defense purposes", for the US delegate's stance against North Korea and Iran holding BWs for the same purposes was cause for concern.

Germany and Algeria are both opposed to countries possessing BWs, for they believe that this threatens peace and security. In particular, Germany opposes BWs on historical and ethical reasons, stating their knowledge of their country's past history with chemical and biological weapons and the fact that it is purely "unethical" to possess weapons of mass destruction as reasons to oppose the proliferation of BWs.
Alternative Energy (WB)
By noting Africa's disproportionate energy resources relative to its production and consumption, France led the discussion by suggesting that immediate action be taken on getting solar and natural gas energy used. Germany identified the major threats to industrialization if power was cut from Africa, and urged industrialized nations to reduce greenhouse emissions while helping Africa produce green power. Australia took a similar stance by urging industrial powers to help Africa skip past the dirty power stage through technological input. It also offered to lead the Pacific Rim bloc on providing contributions to the final resolution.

Syria and Jordan both support alternative energy, for the reason of preventing Africa becoming oil dependent on oil-producing countries. Syria, in particular, proposes that they allow fossil fuels to be exported out of Africa, though, noting that the income would be integral to the development of their society.