Rukmal

Weerawarana

Gabonese Republic

Foreign Policy Statement

Committee: General Assembly 1 Delegation: Gabonese Republic Name of Delegate: Rukmal Weerawarana School: The British School in Colombo Date: 28th January 2012

Questions
1. Shifting to sustainable/nuclear energy and its impact on international peace and security. 2. Protection of and sustainable use of non-renewable energy resources. 1. a) Does the Republic of Gabon support statement one? Yes. b) What has the Republic of Gabon done to support or condemn statement one? The Gabonese republic believes that, to quote President Ali Bongo Odimba, each country has the right to choose its energy sources and we do not see any resources being prohibited. The Gabonese government also directly supported the use of nuclear energy, by allowing the French government to mine Uranium in the city of Franceville in the Oklo region for forty years from 1956. In addition to supporting the development and usage of nuclear energy, the government of the Gabonese Republic not only endorses the use of sustainable energy resources, but also uses hydroelectric power to make up 76% of Gabons total electricity output. In terms of international security, the Gabonese Republic believes that the United Nations (UN) and other allies should assist countries to set up nuclear reactors, and ensure their security. In addition, the Gabonese Republic believes that the UN should set up a form of guidelines and regulation checks to ensure that the Uranium used in nuclear reactors is used entirely for energy generation purposes and not for nuclear warheads. c) What does the Republic of Gabon plan to do in the future to support or condemn statement one? In terms of nuclear energy development, to date, the Gabonese Republic has no intentions to harness and develop

Colombo MUN 2012

1/28/12

Rukmal Weerawarana

Gabonese Republic

nuclear energy reactors not because the government does not support them, but mainly due to the high investment required. As for sustainable energy however, research conducted by the Socit d'Electricit et dEaux du Gabon (SEEG), the authority for Electricity in Gabon shows that Gabon has 6000 MW (Mega Watts) of undeveloped hydroelectric power. Because of this, the Gabonese government has plans to develop these areas, which would not only allow Gabon to be completely sustained by hydroelectric power, but it would also allow the Republic of Gabon to become one of the first countries on the planet to achieve its full hydroelectric potential. 2. a) Does the Republic of Gabon support statement two? Yes. b) What has the Republic of Gabon done to support or condemn statement two? The Republic of Gabon is the fourth largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa and has the fourth largest oil reserves in the region, which is the equivalent of 3, 684, 000, 000 barrels of oil. Gabon exports approximately 245, 000 barrels of oil per day. This export is 80% of the Republic of Gabons total exports and plays a significant role in the Gabonese economy. Within the Republic of Gabon, the SEEG has approximated that 24% of the countrys total electricity production is through the burning of fossil fuels. The Gabonese governments view on the matter is that the UN should take measures to supply countries with large deposits of non-renewable energy sources, such as crude oil with funding, to develop them to better the countrys economy. In addition, the Republic of Gabon also believes that the UN should set up a committee that actively puts forward and enforces regulations regarding the proper use of fossil fuels, with regard to the issue of global warming. c) What does the Republic of Gabon plan to do in the future to support or condemn statement two? Research conducted by the National Authority for Oil Production in Gabon - Socit Nationale Petrolire Gabonaise (SNPG) - indicated that the Republic of Gabon has untouched oil reserves, that could increase the countrys oil export by 50, 000 barrels per day. The Republic of Gabon has taken measures to encourage the development of such sites by the SNPG. Internationally, the stance of the Republic of Gabon would remain the same; encouraging the sustainable use of non- renewable energy sources by countries. The Republic of Gabon strongly advises the UN to provide funding for lower income countries (LICs) to develop their respective non-renewable energy sources.

Colombo MUN 2012

1/28/12