1. Committee: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Topic: Effects of Atomic Radiation
Country: Colombia
Delegates: Md Bhuiyan and Maria Marionkova, Brooklyn Technical High School
Nuclear fission has become an extremely important process for attaining energy in the modern
world. It is a much better alternative energy source than conventional fossil fuels. One may argue that
radioactive waste is produced, but if handled properly, nuclear energy’s pros outweigh its cons. In Latin
America, today there are only six nuclear reactors. Colombia is a nation that has just a single small
nuclear reactor.[1] It is taking initiatives to enter the world of alternative energy and nuclear power would
most definitely be beneficial for the country’s needs.
Colombia’s Generating Station is one primary run on Uranium and the only one in the country,
yet this does not demean any of the positive effects it has in it’s energy production. [2] Not only does the
commercially run factory operate regardless of whichever weather conditions erupt, but it does not emit
any air pollutants or greenhouse gases validating that nuclear energy is a great alternative energy.[2]
Although this form of energy is relatively clean, radioactive waste is still a byproduct that shouldn’t be
ignored. The Colombian government recognizes this as an issue, which is why twenty-seven casks used
for storage of spent fuel rods as of date in order to make space for new fuel. [2] Another concern is the
regulations made and management in regards to radioactive and nuclear materials which is where the
Ministry of Minas and Energy comes in taking on the role as the Nuclear Regulatory Authority for
Colombia. [3] They have established countless Resolutions to ensure the safety of not only the
environment but also the employees and Colombian citizens since there is handling of nuclear energy in
the country; in these Resolutions is a framework that not only complies with Colombia’s membership
with the IAEA and international and national legislation, but gives out a foundation of regulations for
safety precautions for the facilities and handling of the radioactive materials, licensing for the providing
personal dosimetry services and handling, and inspections by IAEA and International Commission on
Radiological Protection (ICRP) experts to ensure everything is running smoothly. [3]
Colombia has been and still is in compliance with international laws and regulations regarding
atomic energy. In the past, it has signed many bilateral treaties in nuclear ratified matters with the
Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA). Colombia is working with Spain, Canada, and
Argentina to combine the benefits arising from close cooperation of scientific and technological
research.[3] All these nations have agreed together to only search for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In
2010, Colombia suspected that terrorists groups may have acquired radioactive, nuclear uranium in the
nation. Colombia’s police opened up a Nuclear Security Center to “detect and respond to incidents
involving weapons of mass destruction.”[4] This nuclear security center is the first and only in Latin
America and it is to be of use to the IAEA in keeping the region safe and under control. Though
Colombia is a novice in the nuclear world, it is working very hard with other nations and the international
community develop and control safe, nuclear energy.
Despite the strong opposition of radioactive waste and compared to the harms of using fossil fuels
as well as other alternative energies, nuclear energy has numerous environmental attributes. With the
definition of being a clean energy, nuclear energy, according the The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI),
estimates that the one hundred and four nuclear power plants were responsible for preventing 2.65 million
short tons of sulfur dioxide, 0.91 million short tons of nitrogen oxides, and 689 million metric tons of
carbon dioxide worth of emissions from being released. [2] In 2008, percentage of total alternative and

2. nuclear energy use reached it’s highest rate at 12.99 since 1971. [5] That same year, emissions
approximated by NEI eluded by the Colombia Generating Station amounted to 9,750 tons of sulfur
dioxide, 11,900 tons of nitrogen oxide, and 7,960,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. [2] Recently,
numbers have fallen but based on the overwhelmingly exceptional progress Colombia has made with
nuclear energy it would be fatuous to think that won’t be changed.
Despite the first thoughts when hearing the term “nuclear energy” because of historical
events, the alternative energy has numerous amounts of positive attributes with few downfalls-
especially compared with other forms of energies. Regardless, the handling of nuclear and
radioactive materials is dangerous and must be monitored carefully to ensure the safety of the
environment and civilians as well. The Colombian government has taken initiative to this
alternative form but not without precaution. Colombia encourages the international community
to come together and be open about their operations regarding nuclear energy. Lastly, Colombia
urges other nations to step up and follow Colombia’s footsteps by enforcing stricter regulations
on the management of such risky substances and processes.
[1] GENERAL ATOMIC. Reactor startup and acceptance tests summary of results. Instituto
de Ciencias Nucleares y Energias Alternativas. Santafe de Bogota, Colombia, September
5, 1997.
[2] "Energy Northwest." Energy Northwest. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. <http://www.energy-
northwest.com/generation/cgs/>.
[3] Colombia. Ministery of Mines and Energy.
Http://www.minminas.gov.co/minminas/downloads/UserFiles/File/Anexosingles/Bilateral%20_1_.pdf.
18 Nov. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.
[4] Alsema, Adriaan. "Colombia Reports." Colombia News. 19 Oct. 2010. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.
<http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/12454-colombia-opens-national-nuclear-security-
center.html>.
[5] “Colombia-alternative energy and nuclear energy.” IEA Statistics. International Energy Agency. Web.
29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/colombia/alternative-and-nuclear-energy>