S/PV.6518 Security Council

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has thus been adopted unanimously as resolution 1977 (2011). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

Brazil’s affirmative vote for resolution 1977 (2011) confirms our unequivocal commitment to the cause of a safer world in which weapons of mass destruction — nuclear, chemical and biological — will no longer exist. The possibility that those weapons could fall into the hands of non-State actors, especially terrorists, remains a matter of great concern to the international community. In that regard, in resolution 1540 (2004) we recognize an important instrument to prevent non-State actors from acquiring, developing, trafficking in or using nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. However, restricting our efforts only to fighting proliferation represents a limited perspective. There is an urgent need for concrete actions towards effective disarmament by States possessing those weapons. We bear in mind President Obama’s commitment to seeking a nuclear-weapon-free world, which we fully support (see S/PV.6191). We concur with his vision that moving towards a safer world requires fulfilling the grand bargain envisioned in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which amounts to countries with nuclear weapons moving towards disarmament, countries without nuclear weapons not acquiring them, and all countries being able to access peaceful nuclear energy. In that regard, we appreciate the efforts that have been made within the Security Council to highlight the significance of disarmament in the resolution that we have adopted today. The risk of proliferation will be eradicated only once we achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. Brazil believes that a broad approach to the subject covered by resolution 1540 (2004) that takes into account the possibility of peaceful uses under international cooperation is also essential to efforts for a safer world. It is also important to avoid an approach that would cast generalized suspicion on the good faith of countries that develop such peaceful programmes. Concerning the important role that the group of experts can play, we commend the inclusion of the idea of equitable geographical distribution among the criteria for selecting experts. That responds to the international community’s legitimate concern over balance and fair representation. The resolution determines the official establishment of the group of experts. The criteria on which the selection of experts will be based are an important aspect of the continued legitimacy of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). The group of experts plays a technical role in assisting the 1540 Committee. The working methods and structure of the group will be discussed in the next few months and recommendations will be issued by August. While we strongly support an effective and well-coordinated group of experts, Brazil does not favour the idea that the group should have a leadership position on a par with or superseding the authority of the 1540 Committee. The 1540 Committee has carried out important and useful work since 2004. It has kept the Security Council updated on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and has facilitated the provision of assistance to States, at their request. The important work done by the 1540 Committee will continue in the coming years. We fully support the Committee and will continue to do so in the future. Examining the mandate of the Committee every few years is an important opportunity for the international community to adjust its work to an evolving scenario. Some questions may become less relevant or disappear, while new ones may emerge. Brazil will continue to take part in the work of the 1540 Committee in a positive and constructive manner.

India supports resolution 1977 (2011) extending the mandate of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) for a period of 10 years until 25 April 2021. That extended timeline has been included with a view to help plan assistance and cooperation programmes for States requesting such assistance from the 1540 Committee on a long-term and predictable basis. India has expressed its unwavering commitment to global efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery. India recognizes that the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery is a major challenge facing the international community. As a victim of terrorism for over three decades, we are fully cognizant of the catastrophic dangers that the transfer of WMDs to non-State actors and terrorists could entail. Clandestine proliferation networks have led to insecurity for all and must not be allowed to reappear. The international community must join hands in eliminating the risks related to sensitive materials and technologies falling into the hands of terrorists and non-State actors. The focus on non-State actors should in no way diminish State accountability in combating terrorism and dismantling its support infrastructure and its linkages with WMDs. India therefore supported the general objectives of resolution 1540 (2004). That resolution is in line with our own General Assembly resolution “Measures to prevent terrorists from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction”, adopted by consensus every year since it was first introduced in 2002. India has enacted a number of effective laws and regulations and has put in place institutionalized administrative mechanisms to prohibit access to WMDs by terrorists and non-State actors. After the adoption of resolution 1540 (2004), India took additional steps to further strengthen its existing legislative and regulatory mechanism for exercising control over WMDs and their means of delivery. The WMD Act was enacted in June 2005. The Act provides for integrated and overarching legislation on prohibiting unlawful activities in relation to WMDs, their delivery systems and related materials, equipment and technologies. The amendments to the 1992 Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act passed in 2010 further strengthened our national export control system. India is committed to maintaining effective national export controls consistent with the highest international standards, and is prepared to make its contribution as a full member of the respective multilateral export control regimes. India has fulfilled its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, including the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles in advance of the timeline agreed under the Convention. India is also a State party to the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention and participates in the activities under the Convention. India filed its report on resolution 1540 (2004) in November 2004, and has submitted periodic updates. An Indian expert participated in the work of the 1540 Committee between 2007 and 2009. India has also expressed its readiness to offer assistance to other countries in capacity-building and in fulfilling their obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). India has also participated in activities related to the resolution such as a workshop on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), held jointly by the United States of America and Sri Lanka in Colombo in June 2009. We welcomed President Obama’s initiative in convening the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., in April 2010. India welcomed the adoption of the Summit communiqué and the workplan, which establishes a common platform for all participating States. We see the Nuclear Security Summit process as building pragmatic and purposeful frameworks, setting benchmarks and standards, and fostering confidence for international cooperation to supplement and not replace existing multilateral institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). India believes that the primary responsibility for ensuring nuclear security rests at the national level, but national responsibility must be accompanied by responsible behaviour by States. All States should scrupulously abide by their international obligations. Measures for the implementation of the resolution should be undertaken by States based on their national practices and processes. Resolution 1540 (2004) has contributed to greater awareness among States on the need for effective measures at the national level to prevent terrorists and non-State actors from gaining access to sensitive materials and technologies. Reporting by States of their implementation measures facilitates the overview of the implementation by the 1540 Committee. Assistance and cooperation for States requesting such assistance is a key element of the implementation process. Such assistance programmes should be suited to specific national or regional requirements. The 1540 Committee has also established cooperative relations with several international organizations. Consistent with their respective mandates, the IAEA and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons can contribute to the objectives of resolution 1540 (2004). We also feel that the full implementation of the communiqué and workplan of the Nuclear Security Summit can also contribute to our common goals. India remains committed to achieving the objectives of resolution 1540 (2004). India is also prepared to render the necessary assistance to States requesting such assistance in fulfilling their obligations under the resolution. We hope that the extended deadline will also encourage the Committee to take its work forward in a spirit of transparency and cooperation, so that all Member States feel that they have a common stake in the successful implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.