Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction…

The Security Council today extended the mandate of its subsidiary 1540 Committee, for a period of ten years until 30 November 2032.  The Committee monitors implementation of Council resolution 1540 (2004) that aims to prevent non-State actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and their means of delivery.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2663 (2022) (to be issued as document S/RES/2663 (2022)) and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council decided that the 1540 Committee will conduct comprehensive reviews on the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) after five years and prior to the renewal of its mandate, submitting to the Security Council a report on the conclusion of each of those reviews, the first of which should be held before December 2027.

Also by the text, the Council decided to continue to provide the Committee with the assistance of its group of experts to support the body in carrying out its mandate; requested the Secretary-General to take necessary administrative measures to that effect; and further directed the Committee to review its internal guidelines on matters regarding its group of experts by 30 April 2023.

By further terms, the Council called on all States that have not yet presented a first report on steps they have taken or intend to take to implement resolution 1540 (2004) to continue to undertake efforts to submit such a report to the Committee without delay.

Following adoption of the resolution, Council members lauded Mexico’s chairpersonship of the Committee, highlighting that its diplomacy and professionalism led to adoption of the resolution.  Underscoring States’ responsibilities and civil society participation for robust implementation of the resolution, they voiced hope that the review of the Committee’s guidelines and resolution’s emphasis on meaningful participation of women will further strengthen the Committee's work.

The representative of the United Kingdom called on all States to fully implement their obligations, noting that the context in which States carry out their responsibilities has changed since the establishment of the 1540 Committee’s mandate in 2004.  He voiced disappointment that, due to the resistance of one Council member, the new mandate goes no further in strengthening the Committee’s support in implementation of the resolution, including on proliferation finance.

Ghana’s representative, Council President for November, speaking in his national capacity, stressed that the dynamic nature of science and technology makes full implementation of the mandate a long-term task.  Periodic open briefings for Member States and organizations will be useful for sharing experiences among Member States, he said, emphasizing the importance of the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in disarmament and non-proliferation.

The representative of the United States, in a similar vein, said the new mandate reaffirms the importance of transparency and accountability in the work of its subsidiary bodies by increasing interactions with all relevant stakeholders.  Also voicing disappointment that one Council member blocked efforts to make the Committee’s work more efficient and effective, he expressed hope that review of internal guidelines will result in enhancements to the Committee’s work, which his delegation hoped to see reflected in the adopted resolution.

The representative of the Russian Federation, a co-sponsor of the resolution, stressed that the unanimous decision to extend the mandate of the Committee was the result of the flexibility of all Council members.  The key to the Committee’s success is its respect for all Member States, taking full account of their interests and needs, and responding in a timely manner to their requests, he added.

Mexico’s representative said his delegation attempted to find formulae that would facilitate convergence, given varying positions of Member States.  The mandate extension will make it possible to continue strengthening assistance required by States to meet their obligations.  Noting his country’s pursuit of a feminist foreign policy, he expressed appreciation that, for the first time, the Council encouraged the Committee to provide due attention to the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. 

At the meeting’s onset, the Council observed a minute of silence in memory of Jiang Zemin, former President of China.  The representative of Ghana, as Council President and on behalf of Council members, expressed sympathies to the Government and people of China on the passing of their former leader.  China’s representative thanked Council members, noting that he will convey their condolences and sympathies to the Government and people of China, and to President Jiang’s family.

Also speaking on the adoption of the resolution were representatives of Ireland, United Kingdom, Albania, China, United Arab Emirates, Norway and India.

The meeting began at 10:20 a.m. and ended at 10:56 a.m.