Former Members of 1540 Group of Experts Meet at Cape Town to Appraise Efforts Implementing Resolution, Share Unique Views, Experiences

NEW YORK, 29 May (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — Twelve of the eighteen former members of the Group of Experts that supports the work of the Security Council’s 1540 Committee concluded a two-day meeting in Cape Town,  South Africa.  It was organized by South Africa’s Institute for Security Studies in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

Three members of the current Group of Experts, as well as a senior official from the Office for Disarmament Affairs, and representatives from the Government of the Republic of Korea participated in the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to benefit the 1540 Committee’s 2016 Comprehensive Review of resolution 1540 (2004), which will appraise efforts aimed at the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by States, taking into account achievements so far, challenges faced and possible options for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.  In this context, the meeting provided a platform to former 1540 Experts to share their unique views and experiences.

In the margins of the meeting, the Coordinator of the present Group of Experts was invited to give lectures on 1540-related subjects at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and at the Cape Town Component of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cape Town on 26 and 27 May 2015, respectively.

Resolution 1540 (2004) was adopted unanimously by the Security Council, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, on 28 April 2004.  It obliges all States to refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors attempting to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.  The resolution requires all States to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including by establishing appropriate controls over related materials.

Resolution 1977 (2011) invited the 1540 Committee to consider ways to utilize and maintain expertise, including, in particular, of former experts of the group, that could be made available for specific missions and assistance needs regarding the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).

The 1540 Committee, a subsidiary body of the Council, reports to it on implementation of the resolution.  On 20 April 2011, the Security Council adopted resolution 1977 (2011), by which it extended the Committee’s mandate until 2021.