UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT

Chair: JingJing Luo

Committee Type: Economic and Social Council

Since 2005, the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) has been mandated by ECOSOC to serve as the body that provides recommendations on the future of science and technology. The concept of “home” has always been the subject of philosophical and political debate. When we define home as the nation itself, a fundamental tension arises: the desire to protect our borders often conflict with what we hope to gain from penetrating others. This year, the focal point consists of discussing defense of a nation exploration beyond. Technological development often finds itself at crossroads, particularly in this : should we prioritize security over technology in protecting our nations? Are there limits to technology in expanding beyond our borders? Our two committees today address the relationships between emerging technologies and corporations as well as nations, through space and aviation exploration and autonomous weaponry for defense.

Topic 1

Regulations on Boeing Airplanes

The human race has always sought out the unknown, across oceans, into the clouds, and past atmosphere boundaries into space, and technology has always been the way to getting there. Today, the aviation industry, particularly companies like Boeing, government-affiliated research-based businesses like NASA, and intergovernmental organizations like the European Space Agency (ESA), faces uncertain future prospects as tensions in trade and warfare build on land between nations. As the aviation and space industry faces uncertain future prospects, delegates are tasked to weigh the concerns regarding safety and trust, international competition, government regulations, labor, and manufacturing to draft a 10-year Strategic Recovery Plan. Delegates must address the root causes of recent manufacturing malfunctions in aviation as well as technological developments into space. Furthermore, the committee looks toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools into the space and aviation industry to mitigate human oversight and technical issues. However, AI has been known as a target for cyberattacks, so delegates are posed the question: How can we ensure safe cybersecurity networks when traveling over international waters or unclaimed lands beyond the atmosphere? As geopolitical tensions shift, the United Nations seeks to find a balance between technology, cybersecurity, efficient manufactory, safety, and ethics, ensuring the preservation and exploration of the skies and beyond.

Topic 2

Artificial Intelligence and Lethal Autonomous Weapons

The international defense community is deliberating on the integration of AI on the battlefield through lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs). The most common types of weapons with autonomous functions are defensive systems. This includes systems such as antivehicle and antipersonnel mines, which, once activated, operate autonomously based on trigger mechanisms. While defense is often a justifiable reason to develop LAWs, the control of these autonomous weapons is crucial to preserving the balance between nations. Whether it be banning, legalizing, and delaying discussion on LAWs, many countries have issued statements on their creation, proliferation, and related investments. In the absence of specific multilateral regulations, the design, development and use of these systems raise humanitarian, legal, security and ethical concerns and pose a direct threat to human rights and fundamental freedoms .As geopolitical tensions shift and major powers race to secure technological supremacy, delegates must determine if a "security-first" approach can exist within a global arms race. While it is challenging to reach a universal consensus on the legality and morality of LAWs, delegates are tasked to negotiate an initial draft of an international doctrine addressing how the world should approach these destructive devices.