United Nations Headquarters to Host Special Event on Security Council

Resolution 1540 (2004), 1 October

 

NEW YORK, 28 September (Office for Disarmament Affairs) -- A special event entitled “Resolution 1540: At the Crossroads” will be held at United Nations Headquarters on 1 October.

Sponsored by the Office for Disarmament Affairs, the event is organized in connection with the comprehensive review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).  The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) will hold an open meeting for that purpose from 30 September to 2 October.  The aim of the review is, among other things, to assess the evolution of risks and threats, and to identify possible new approaches for implementation of the resolution.

The 1 October special event is co-organized by the Stanley Foundation, the Arab Institute for Security Studies, the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, the Henry L. Stimson Center, the Institute for Security Studies, the Nonproliferation for Global Security Foundation, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) and the World Institute for Nuclear Security.  It aims at enabling non-governmental organizations, academia and the industry to contribute to the comprehensive review.

Unanimously adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on 28 April 2004, resolution 1540 (2004) obliges all States to refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.

Also by the text, all States are to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of these weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including by establishing appropriate controls over related materials.  The resolution also affirms support for multilateral treaties aimed at eliminating or preventing the proliferation of these weapons.

In resolution 1887 (2009), adopted on 24 September, the Security Council reaffirmed resolution 1540 (2004) and the necessity for all States to implement fully the measures contained therein.  The Council also welcomed the comprehensive review.

For further information, contact Nikita Smidovich at +1 212 963 9029.

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For information media • not an official record