1540 Committee Chair’s Message to Dialogue Meeting of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Forum for Security Cooperation

On 4 May, a message from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) was delivered to a Dialogue Meeting of the Forum for Security Cooperation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) by José Javier Gutiérrez Blanco-Navarrete, Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations.

The message emphasized that the evolution in terrorism and the penchant for extreme violence among the terrorist groups have increased the risk of use by non-State actors of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.  The increased risk requires constant vigilance by Member States and effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in order to prevent non-State actors from gaining access to the technologies, materials and delivery means, and wittingly or unwittingly, helping terrorists to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction.

This is not theoretical, and the use of chemical weapons in the Middle East is a case in point.

With these risks in mind, the 1540 Committee is undertaking a comprehensive review of the implementation of the resolution.  Even part way through the review, it is apparent that the Committee needs to work directly with States to help build capacity and do a better job of facilitating assistance.  All of its work must take into account that international instruments and organizations in the areas of nuclear, chemical and biological controls have a sharply different character; and that civil society, academia, industry and non-governmental organizations have important roles to play.

The message noted that regional “champions” of resolution 1540 (2004) are needed, and it praised the invaluable and exemplary contributions that OSCE has made in that role.  These have promoted the cause of non-proliferation, and in particular, the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 (2004).  The message singled out the work of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre in enhancing the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).

Resolution 1540 (2004) was adopted unanimously by the Security Council, under the United Nations Charter’s Chapter VII, 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.

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.

Further information is available at the 1540 Committee’s web site at www.un.org/en/sc/1540/.