Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) Points of Contact Training for States of Asia-Pacific Region

From 21 to 25 October 2019, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), in cooperation with the Government of China, convened a training course for 1540 national points of contact in the Asia-Pacific region in Xiamen, China.  The course was supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs with the financial support of the European Union.

This is the third time that a 1540 points of contact training was dedicated to States in the Asia-Pacific region and the ninth training of its kind overall.  The first training course for States in the Asia-Pacific region was held in September 2015 in Qingdao, China.  This was also the first-ever training course for 1540 points of contact.  The second training course for States in the region was held in August 2017 in Xi’an, China.

The course opened on 21 October with a keynote speech by Fu Cong, Director General of the Arms Control Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.  He said that in face of wide-spread security threats such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, it is indispensable to pursue multilateralism under the guidance of the United Nations and with the solidarity of all United Nations Member States.  To facilitate the comprehensive and effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), it is important to listen to the views of all Member States, ensure necessary input for technical assistance and international cooperation, including capacity-building for points of contact.  The international non-proliferation system should be improved by strengthening relevant treaties and establishing an open and inclusive global non-proliferation export control mechanism.

Mr. Fu also emphasized that export control should neither be a disguise for trade barriers nor a tool for unilateral bullying, and the international community should join hands to uphold multilateralism.  He reiterated that non-proliferation is a strategic decision China has made, consistent with the path of peaceful development his country is pursuing and the building of a community for a shared future for mankind.  China will not deviate from the overall objective of non-proliferation, nor will it scale down its non-proliferation efforts.

Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations and Chair of the 1540 Committee, delivered a video message at the opening session.  In his message, he emphasized the importance of effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) as a vital and integral component of the international non-proliferation architecture, in particular the international community’s efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery to and by non-State actors.  He also pointed out the importance of points of contact for facilitating the flow of information with the Committee.

Participants included national points of contact and representatives from the Governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and China.  Detailed presentations on various aspects of resolution 1540 (2004) and follow-up resolutions were made by experts of the 1540 Committee and representatives of international and regional organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), World Customs Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).  Representatives from the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group also participated in the training course and gave introductions on their respective export control regimes’ mandates and their synergies with resolution 1540 (2004).

The training contributed to strengthening cooperation and interaction between States and the Committee, as well as enhancing the capacity for internal coordination.