Major Update 2: AIDS progress, Biological weapons talks stall, and opposition to alternative energy for Africa

AIDS (WHO and GNDP)
On the issue of AIDS, progress has been reached, with Norway in the UNDP leading the delegates in proposing that great progress be made to formulate a “grand resolution” encompassing Norway’s six point plan and Canada’s educational funding plan. All countries agree that AIDS is indeed a major issue pertaining not only to health, but also to security and economy.

Funding was a major issue with the United States in the UNDP ambivalent about their stance over abstinence being a clause within the final resolution in contrast to the United States in the WHO insisting on the addition of the clause as condition for funding to come from the United States. Additionally, Norway proposed consistency in funding, with set targets each year for each country. The percentage contribution suggested by the Russian Federation was 0.1% of each country’s GDP.

Pharmaceutical companies’ involvement was also debated with poorer countries such as Serbia and India suggesting that patents be opened up, or else parallel licensing be used (as has been implemented in South Africa).

Nordic countries felt that Norway’s involvement in the UNDP’s AIDS program is commendable, and that Norway is a political ally in this issue.

Biological Weapons (BW) (GA1)
The United States and the United Kingdom appear to be setting double standards, in line with the Ukraine’s proposed resolution to allow countries with BWs to maintain their stock of BWs, while preventing those that do not have BWs from developing them for defense. When specifically questioned, the United States refused to comment on themselves disallowing rouge nations such as Iran, Syria, Lybia, Sudan and the DPRK from possessing or further developing their BW programs.

The UK admits that it has a BW program that encompasses defense, and maintains that it is not an aggressive policy. The UK would like to see conditions attached to the resolution such as proof of trustworthiness, for which standards have not been decided upon yet at the time of writing.

Russia does not see the DPRK as a threat to Russia, but believes that it must be kept under strict observation.

On the issue as a whole, countries have been willing to negotiate their positions with other nations, and compromise on inspections by drawing up committees to establish firm guidelines. Italy, specifically, believes in the equality of each country, and would like to push for a working paper on the matter. Italy also predicts a final resolution being reached, rather than a stalemate.

Alternative Energy (WB)
Norway will see Saudi Arabia as an adversary to its stance, as Saudi Arabia is opposed to alternative energy, citing reasons of high cost, low cost effectiveness, and a lack of expertise in Africa as major obstacles. They would like to see the development of an oil economy in Africa, for they believe that there is only one route for development for Africa – through a carbon emitting economy based on a fossil-fuel infrastructure.

When questioned about cost, their concern is focused towards where the money will go – building, managing and maintaining the equipment within Africa. Saudi Arabia sees any involvement in Africa more as an investment rather than an act of goodwill, and their major issue with loans to Africa is on the issue of repayment. On the whole, Saudi Arabia would prefer to see Africa fulfill its own wish to stand independently and help itself, rather than rely on external help.

China, which was seemingly opposed to alternative energy development in Africa, stresses that there is in fact no dichotomy between fossil fuels and alternative fuels. China believes that each geographic region must be self-sufficient, harnessing their own sources of energy within their regions. When questioned about whether the West would provide long-term funding and commitment, China’s delegate said that “pigs would be flying” if the US did so, and that Africa must follow China’s example of being 90% self-sufficient for energy.