(3rd meeting) 1540 Committee (Non-proliferation…

General debate

• Statements by Member States (continued)
• Statements by international, regional and sub-regional organisations

The Committee developed a set of modalities for the conduct of the second Comprehensive Review (the "Review"). In terms of these Modalities, the Review should be both retrospective and forward-looking. It should draw on an analysis of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), based on information available to the Committee, including the approved matrices and inputs from Member States and related intergovernmental and regional and sub-regional organisations. The Review is intended to address ways of improving the implementation of the resolution by Member States by identifying and recommending specific, practical and appropriate actions to this end, and to analyze the operation of the Committee in the conduct of its tasks and recommend any changes to its mandate considered necessary.

Resolution 1540 (2004) is a non-proliferation instrument that has secured its place in the weapons of mass destruction non-proliferation architecture. It is designed to prevent the catastrophic outcome of the use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors, including for terrorism purposes. With its focus on non-State actors, the resolution has an important role in closing gaps in the array of relevant treaties and legal instruments. The Committee firmly believes that these Open Consultations will be an important contribution towards ensuring that the resolution continues to play a central role in the maintenance of international peace and security in the future.

Background: On 28 April 2004, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1540 (2004) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter which affirms that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The resolution obliges States, inter alia, to refrain from supporting by any means non-State actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.