S/PV.7900 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear a briefing by Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz, Permanent Representative of Bolivia, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). I now give the floor to Ambassador Llorentty Solíz.

I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this meeting. As this is the first time that I have had the privilege of addressing the Council in my capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), I should like to say how honoured I am to have assumed my tenure of the Committee in January. I am pleased to have the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the work of the 1540 Committee in its task of overseeing the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Flowing from the outcome of the 2016 comprehensive review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) of the previous five years, resolution 2325 (2016) was adopted on 15 December 2016. The Committee intends to build on the momentum imparted by this reinforcing resolution through the Committee’s programme of work agreed for the period from 1 January 2017 through 31 January 2018. In that programme, the Committee agreed that it should continue to intensify its efforts to promote the full implementation by al States of resolution 1540 (2004). A programme of work for 2017 has been agreed upon by the Committee and will enable significant progress towards a more effective implementation of the obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). In this effort, the Committee considers that a clear understanding of the challenges faced by States in the effective implementation of the resolution is needed in accordance with operative paragraph 11 of resolution 2325 (2016). There is also a need to develop an approach to implementation and reporting that takes into account the specificities of States, inter alia with respect to their ability to manufacture and export related materials, with a view to prioritizing efforts and resources where they are most needed without affecting the need for a comprehensive implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). This point is a key element in the effort to seek more effective implementation if it is to have any chance of success. The Committee’s next direct interaction with a State will take place next week. A 1540 Committee delegation will visit El Salvador to support the development of a voluntary national implementation action plan. The programme of work for 2017 stipulates, inter alia, the following elements on the implementation of the resolution by the States: with the objective of achieving universal reporting as soon as possible, continue to strengthen efforts to encourage the remaining 16 Member States that have not yet submitted their first report to do so, including by engaging in dialogue with those States; continue to encourage Member States to submit additional information regarding implementation; encourage the expansion and undertake initiatives to us strengthen the capacity of national points of contact; continue to encourage States to identify and voluntarily report effective national practices in implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and continue the practice of sharing compilations of effective best practices periodically; and encourage States to prepare, on a voluntary basis, national implementation action plans, as appropriate, mapping out their priorities and plans for implementing the key provisions of resolution 1540 (2004). As Council members are aware, there are means to request assistance formally through the Committee to help build capacity where needed for implementation. This assistance can be provided by States with the ability to do so and by the relevant international organizations. As mentioned in the final document of the 2016 comprehensive review, since 2004 56 States and two regional organizations have requested assistance through the Committee. Of these requests, 17 came from African States, 22 from States in the Asia-Pacific region, six from Eastern Europe and 11 from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Committee recognizes that the system for the provision of assistance to those in need requires improvement. According to its seventeenth programme of work, the Committee will engage its working group on assistance in improving the assistance mechanism. One focus is the ongoing revision of its assistance template, which will be finalized by the end of March 2017, in order to better support States in developing more detailed and effective assistance requests. According to its programme of work, the Committee will also consider ways to better provide assistance, especially as a real-time response to requests made during dialogue with States, such as through securing and using additional resources, including, potentially, the use of the Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities. The Committee also plans on reviewing all requests, offers and related assistance programmes, with, inter alia, a view to developing more effective matching strategies. As another part of this effort, I ask those Council members that have made offers of assistance to take a lead in reviewing them, as it is clear from the offers currently published that some need updating. I pay tribute to those States that have responded to requests for assistance and encourage others with the capacity to do so to do likewise. The record shows that, generally, the most relevant international organizations have responded well to requests for assistance. I should mention in particular the International Atomic Energy Agency, INTERPOL, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Organization for Animal Health and the World Customs Organization. Regional organizations have also played their part. I should mention in particular the African Union, which hosted an event in 2016 dedicated to matching assistance providers directly with those requesting assistance. This was the first time that States that had requested assistance were brought together with potential providers, thereby facilitating a genuine “matchmaking” platform. Of the 16 African States that had requested assistance, 12 participated in the conference. This effort showed practical results and proved the value of the Committee’s 2016 commitment to adopting a regional approach to the provision of assistance. I hope that this will continue in other regions this year and next. As I mentioned earlier, cooperation among States is a key element in promoting effective implementation. In this regard, I would like to point to valuable elements, including the national 1540 points of contact. In those States where they have been designated, not only do they play an important role internally as a focal point for national stakeholders in the implementation of the resolution, they are also valuable in promoting cooperation among States and interaction with the Committee. Today, 99 States submitted their 1540 points of contact to the Committee. Since the last briefing, Algeria, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Mauritania were added. Some countries updated. The Committee supports the initiatives taken by some States to host training courses for national 1540 points of contact. Indeed, resolution 2325 (2016), in its operative paragraph 6, “urges the Committee to continue to undertake initiatives to strengthen the capacity of such Points of Contact to assist on the implementation of the resolution, upon request of States, including through the continuation on a regional basis of the Committee’s Point of Contact Training Programme”. Furthermore, I understand that Morocco is planning to host a training course for French-speaking African States later this year. At the same time, I must also acknowledge the important contribution that international organizations have made by providing instructors for these kinds of training courses. The Committee finds this direct and practical support for enhancing implementation of the resolution most encouraging. States are making important contributions in other ways too. For example, a regional 1540 seminar was conducted over the past two days, hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad. Representatives from 15 States of Central, East and South Asia, along with representatives from the four international organizations most relevant to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), participated. I salute Pakistan’s initiative in proposing and hosting this conference and in setting a good example by covering the in-country costs. The seminar was an opportunity to promote awareness of resolution 1540 (2004) among the policymakers. It also highlighted the national efforts made by participating States and identified challenges and opportunities in relation to regional conditions. It contributed also to identifying opportunities for collaboration in terms of implementation, law enforcement, export controls and related matters and matching assistance needs with offers. In order to demonstrate its interest in this important event, the Committee decided to second two members of its Group of Experts. My own country, Bolivia, will host a regional conference on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in October for Latin American and Caribbean countries. In this context, on behalf of the Committee, I sincerely thank those States that have made substantial contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities directly in support of the implementation of the resolution. Without these contributions, the Committee would be severely hampered in fulfilling its mandate of overseeing the implementation of the resolution and, in particular, in facilitating capacity-building where it is most needed. Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain and Sweden have joined the list of contributors. The contributions from these and other countries are essential to the Committee’s being able to fulfil its programme of work. The Committee, with the support of its Group of Experts and the Office for Disarmament Affairs, stands ready to cooperate with and, as requested, to facilitate assistance to States with their implementation efforts, which will contribute to achieving our common objective to prevent the catastrophic use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors.

I shall now give the floor to the members of the Council.

I thank the Committee Chair, Ambassador Llorenty Solíz of Bolivia, for his briefing on the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), which covers an area of priority for Japan. Japan once again welcomes the completion of the comprehensive review process and the adoption of resolution 2325 (2016). Japan commends Spain’s leadership in this regard. We look forward to working with the new Committee Chair, Ambassador Llorenty Solíz, and will promote further implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) as the new Working Group I coordinator for monitoring and national implementation. I am also pleased to announce that Japan will make a contribution of approximately $1 million to the Trust Fund to support the work of the 1540 Committee. We must recognize that the danger of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) has not subsided despite the many efforts of the international committee. Nuclear and ballistic-missile development by North Korea is the most striking example. This is a blatant violation of Security Council resolutions and represents a clear challenge to the global non-proliferation regime. It is simply not acceptable. Japan strongly urges North Korea to refrain from further provocations and violations and to comply fully and faithfully with the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2321 (2016) and 2270 (2016), as well as its other commitments. The use of chemical weapons in Syria also demonstrates the dangers of the proliferation of WMD. This is not a hypothetical threat. Malicious actors are benefiting from rapid advances in science, technology and international commerce for proliferation purposes. Moreover, individuals and entities can unwittingly become complicit in proliferation activities. Therefore, every effort needs to be made to prevent proliferation activities whenever and wherever they are undertaken. For this reason, Japan strongly believes that enhancing the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) is imperative, especially the implementation of obligations related to domestic and export control. Let me reiterate that resolution 2325 (2016) calls upon those States that have not done so to start developing effective national controls. For further implementation, capacity-building for all States is key. Proliferation can occur at the weakest link. The 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts can help States wishing to strengthen their domestic non-proliferation systems by, for example, sharing expertise to formulate national implementation action plans and clarifying actual assistance needs. Facilitating direct interactions between Member States and the Committee will without a doubt bolster the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). A significant part of Japan’s contribution will be used to finance these direct interactions between Member States and the Committee. Japan encourages interested States to contact the Committee. As the Coordinator of Working Group I, my delegation would be happy to relay any message to the Committee. In conclusion, given today’s security environment, it is an ongoing and urgent task for all of us to strengthen the non-proliferation regime at the global, regional and national levels. Japan will continue to actively support that endeavour.

China thanks Ambassador Llorentty Solíz, Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), for his briefing. China attaches great importance to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). The 1540 Committee has been conducting its work recently in an orderly manner in line with its programme of work. China commends Ambassador Llorentty Solíz and his team for their efforts. Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery has a bearing on international peace, security and stability. It constitutes the common challenge and major task facing the international community. Furthermore, it is importantly part and parcel of global governance. During his visit to international organizations in Switzerland earlier this year, the President of China, Xi Jinping, delivered a speech at the United Nations Office in Geneva, entitled “Working together to build a community of a shared future for humankind”. In his speech, which took a historical perspective, President Xi elaborated on the basic principles underlining international relations, which include, inter alia, sovereignty, equality, peaceful reconciliation, justice, the rule of law, openness, inclusiveness and humanitarianism. It laid down the basic outlines for building a shared future for humankind. Moreover, in the light of the current major challenges throughout the world and from a practical perspective, he advocated building a world of enduring peace, universal security, shared prosperity, openness, inclusiveness and a world that is clean and beautiful. He chartered the way forward by outlining specific targets. That proposal has lent impetus to the transformation and improvement of the international system and global governance. It also constitutes the fundamental point of departure for China’s engagement in international affairs, especially global governance in the field of non-proliferation. In recent years, thanks to the concerted efforts of the international community, international non-proliferation has forged ahead in greater depth and with concrete results. Nevertheless, grave challenges remain. A number of issues continue to defy our efforts to find solutions. Technological advances have lowered proliferation thresholds. Non-State actors and terrorists, in particular, are more likely to acquire weapons of mass destruction and related materials and technologies. In that regard, the international community should unite to bolster global governance in the area of non-proliferation. First, we need to foster innovation in the area of security and build an enabling security environment. The issue of non-proliferation is highly complex. Its complex and difficult nature is further compounded by a range of factors, including historical disputes, regional conflicts, security concerns and terrorism. The fundamental way forward lies in discarding Cold-War mentalities, shaping a security architecture conceived for and by all on the basis of justice, and promoting a concept of shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, thereby building an international and regional environment featuring universal security, enhancing the sense of security for all countries, and eliminating the hotbeds of terrorism, extremism and the drivers of their proliferation, so as to generate an environment conducive to non-proliferation. Secondly, we must uphold the rule of law and consolidate and develop the international non-proliferation regime. Through years of tireless efforts, the international community has put in place an international non-proliferation regime guided by the Charter of the United Nations and legally anchored in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention, supplemented by the relevant non-proliferation mechanisms. Efforts should be made to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime, formulate and improve relevant international norms, and effectively prevent non-State actors, not least terrorists, from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and related materials and technologies. Thirdly, we must remain committed to multilateralism and to dealing with hotspot issues related to proliferation through political and diplomatic means. Any action that might cause further tensions can only lead to the escalation and spill-over of conflicts, which, in turn, would heighten the risk of proliferation. All parties should remain committed to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula so as to maintain peace and stability in that region and to the settlement of differences through dialogue. The top priority for the parties concerned is to cease and desist from provocative actions and diffuse tensions on the peninsula. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding the Iran nuclear issue did not come about easily. All parties need to embrace political mutual trust, completely fulfil their commitments and push for steady progress in their implementation, so as to achieve a far-reaching impact. Fourthly, we must take a multipronged approach to enhancing the comprehensive and effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Last year, the 1540 Committee took stock of the implementation of that resolution by various parties and all aspects of the Committee’s work over the previous five years and came up with a comprehensive review and report followed up by the unanimous adoption of resolution 2325 (2016). The Committee should strictly adhere to the mandate derived from its programme of work and resolution 2325 (2016), maintain the leading role of Member States in non-proliferation and refrain from setting up new mechanisms. Priority should be given to meeting the needs of developing countries for assistance and intensifying the capacity-building efforts of countries that are working to implement the resolution. Working with the international community China will continue to contribute to improving the international non-proliferation regime, strengthening global governance in the area of non-proliferation and safeguarding world peace and security.

I am grateful to the Permanent Representative of Bolivia, Mr. Sacha Llorentty Solíz, for his briefing on the work of THE Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We thank the Ambassador and his entire team for their successful leadership of that subsidiary body of the Council and their flexibility and skill in incorporating various points of view in the preparation of the Committee’s documents and draft decisions. Combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) is one of the Russian Federation’s primary military and political priorities. As is the case with any critical issue, joint coordinated efforts are required in this instance. We are interested in developing common positions with our partners so as to quickly advance the non-proliferation agenda, especially since the issues pertaining to that area have become more acute. Resolution 1540 (2004) occupies a special place in the international non-proliferation architecture. It focuses on establishing a sound legal and enforcement barrier so as to prevent WMDs from finding their way into the hands of non-State actors, including terrorists. The main outcome of the comprehensive review completed in 2016 reaffirmed the continued relevance of all the guidelines formulated by the Security Council in resolution 1540 (2004). It also confirmed the preventive nature of the resolution and its inherent philosophy of cooperation. Another important outcome is the need to maintain positive momentum in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and the need for an overall approach aimed at a long-term, thorough and, most importantly, joint work, while taking into account the long-term nature of the process. The institutional framework of the resolution fully corresponds to the tasks that have been defined, especially after resolution 2325 (2016). We are convinced that, in assessing the work of this subsidiary body of the Council and the Panel of Experts, we need to be very careful and restrained. Establishing additional bureaucratic structures pertaining to the issues of the 1540 Committee, setting limits on the duration of the contracts of experts or artificially promoting radical or insufficiently developed proposals could lead to the generation of additional obstacles rather than enhancing the work of the Committee. Therefore, we should be guided by the principle of “do no harm”. In light of the ongoing terrorist activities in Syria and Iraq of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and other terrorist groups, which have mastered the technology of chemical weapons production and have been actively using it, collective efforts to prevent this horrific phenomenon are becoming increasingly important, and we must act quickly. Reports of non-State actors gaining access to chemical weapons require a quick response by the Security Council and a thorough investigation. This can and should be handled by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons- United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism. We believe that the quarterly briefings by the Chair of the Committee to the Council should contain information on the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by Member States, as well as information on the work of thematic working groups, the renewal of matrices, cooperation with national focal points and updates of lists of donors and beneficiaries. The specific issues of States should also be taken into account in implementing the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004) and in preparing reports. We are convinced that Ambassador Llorentty Solíz will organize the work of the Committee in strict respect for the sovereignty of the States that cooperate with it. We are interested in strengthening the non-proliferation regime with regard to weapons of mass destruction, including in the framework of implementing resolution 1540 (2004). We are ready to constructively cooperate with the new Chair of the Committee and our partners. We fully support the programme of joint work in the area of non-proliferation, which has just been outlined by the Permanent Representative of China.

Let me convey my appreciation for the work done by Ambassador Sacha Llorentty Solíz as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and commend him for his comprehensive briefing today. I also take the opportunity to pay tribute to the work done by his predecessor, Ambassador Oyarzun Marchesi of Spain, who successfully concluded the second comprehensive review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). That resolution remains a crucial instrument in the effort to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, as well as their potential acquisition by non-State actors. Italy welcomes resolution 2325 (2016) and in particular its call for greater capacity-building assistance and for more intense cooperation among all stakeholders, including civil society and academia. On 10 February, we adopted our programme of work. It is time now to achieve meaningful results through the proactive implementation of resolution 2325 (2016). The increasing risk that non-State actors, particularly terrorists, acquire chemical, biological, radiological or fissile materials represents a new critical dimension. Terrorist groups and non-State actors have indeed demonstrated the intent and capacity to develop and access these harmful tools. As the report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons- United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism clearly demonstates, this has already been the case in Syria, where the use of chemical weapons was attributed to Da’esh in one case, while the use of a toxic chemical as a weapon was attributed to the Syrian armed forces in three cases. Rapid advances in science, technology and international commerce create not only huge benefits for humankind, but also the potential for misue. We are concerned that the abuse of emerging scientific innovations could facilitate illicit proliferation activities, in particular through the illegal transfer of sensitive technology and illicit financial transactions. Reinforcing international cooperation to tackle this phenomenon is crucial. We stress the importance of the 1540 Committee and the discharge of its mandate for capacity-building assistance and encouragement to all States to work towards the full implementation of relevant resolutions. It is essential that the political will to comply with international obligations be combined for every State with the actual ability to do it. Technical assistance is essential to this end. As Chair of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, we invited the 1540 Committee to present its activities, in particular with regard to Africa, in order to highlight current needs and increase opportunities for donors to cooperate with potential recipients, as well as with the Committee itself. Considering the tools currently available in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we think that particular attention should be paid to the field of biological weapons. Similarly, the enhanced protection of critical infrastructure relevant to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction from the increasing risk of cyberattacks is much needed today. The full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) is a long-term task that requires continuous effort at the national, regional and international levels; the sustained and intensified support of the Security Council; and direct interaction with States and relevant organizations. Close cooperation among all stakeholders , especially at the regional level, is needed to coordinate activities so as to avoid duplication and to focus on the most important areas. We are deeply concerned about proliferation activity by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as clearly highlighted in the last report of the Panel of Experts. This adds to the inherent threats to international peace and security, as well as direct dangers to the non-proliferation regime, posed by the North Korean nuclear programme and these types of programmes. Reporting on compliance is crucial. From this point of view, resolution 2321 (2016) notes the complementarity of that obligation with those of resolution 1540 (2004). In adopting resoltuion 2325 (2016), the Council calls on all States to strengthen national non-proliferation regimes in implementing resolution 1540 (2004) and to submit timely reports on their efforts. Accurate and timely reporting is crucial for long-term results. Capacity-building aimed at improving reporting is essential.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ethiopia.

I would like to start by thanking Ambassador Sacha Llorentty Solíz for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and for his positive remarks regarding African Union Member States with respect to the matchmaking platform they were part of, which he said is a genuine platform. I would also like to thank his team and the United Kingdom for the work they have done in finalizing the sixteenth programme of work of the Committee for the coming year. We believe that the programme of work will be instrumental in ensuring the full implementation of resoltuion 2325 (2016) and serve as a basis for the work of the Committee in the upcoming comprehensive review. We trust that the outreach activities planned in the programme of work will contribute to the full implementation of Security Council resolutions on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by encouraging Member States that have not presented their initial report to do so. Moreover, we welcome the integration of a regional dimension into the programme of work, as it would enable regional organizations, such as the African Union, to contribute to the work of the Committee and its broad objective of preventing the proliferation of nuclear chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. No doubt this would also ensure the continued engagement of the African Union and its member States in addressing the risk of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by terrorist groups, including in areas affected by armed conflicts. We hope that the Committee will continue to enhance its cooperation with the African Union in relation to the African nuclear-weapon-free zone and thereby contribute to further strengthening the regional non-proliferation framework. Ethiopia also welcomes planned activities aimed at further strengthening the assistance framework, as they would help in improving the matching strategy, that is, the provision of effective and targeted assistance aimed at responding to the proper request. We are hopeful that the assistance template would be finalized and become operational within the time frame and would help enhance the effectiveness of future regional assistance conferences, similar to the one held in Addis Ababa last year. Finally, I would like to conclude by affirming our commitment to working cooperatively with the Chair and the other members of the Council to ensure the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and the related resolutions that have been adopted since, including resolution 2325 (2016), in the programme of work. We are also committed to engaging constructively in considering the efficiency and effectiveness of the Special Political Mission that supports the 1540 Committee.

I would like to thank Ambassador Sacha Llorentty Solíz, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), for his briefing. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of his predecessor at the helm of the Committee, the Ambassador of Spain, who contributed a great deal to the progress that has been made in the past two years. We wish Ambassador Llorentty Solíz every success in chairing this important body. Last year marked a significant stage in fostering the regime for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). We join others in reaffirming our support for the comprehensive review process, which culminated in the unanimous adoption of resolution 2325 (2016). The conclusions and recommendations of the 2016 comprehensive review, properly implemented, should significantly reinforce and even re-energize resolution 1540 (2004). The report on the review (see S/2016/1038), while clearly outlining the different progress of the implementation both for types of WMDs and the various obligations in resolution 1540 (2004), helps to define specific areas for each party concerned where national and regional efforts should be intensified. The potential use of weapons of mass destruction is a clear and ever present danger to humankind. The risk of the most dangerous materials in the world falling into the wrong hands, whether intentionally or as a result of neglect or oversight, remains high. Resolutions 1540 (2004) and 2325 (2016) complement the existing international non-proliferation regimes for nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and the means of their delivery by preventing the illegal trafficking of relevant materials and prohibiting their acquisition by non-State actors. However, despite all the measures that Member States have taken to reduce the risk of proliferation, the world is witnessing growing and ever-more sophisticated threats in the area, owing not only to gaps in national legislation but also to the rapid development of science, technology and e-commerce, accompanied by a lack of awareness of such threats in academia, industry and civil society. Strengthening cooperation in preventing the proliferation of WMDs and their components, as well as building synergies among all stakeholders, including the relevant international, regional, subregional and non-governmental organizations, is an urgent task. In that regard, the 1540 Committee should also help to promote such cooperation, in accordance with the recommendations of the comprehensive review and the provisions of resolution 2325 (2016). We believe that the recently adopted programme of work will guide the Committee and its Working Groups on how to continue to build on the comprehensive review process and not lose what has already been achieved during it. In the past decade, chemical and biological materials have frequently been cited as potential weapons for terrorists, non-State actors and rogue States, and it would seem that this assumption is true. In particular, cases of the use of chemical weapons, from chlorine to VX toxin, have been confirmed. Ukraine’s position in that regard is very clear. Any use of weapons of mass destruction, under any circumstances, must be met with a strong response from the international community in which all the perpetrators are held accountable. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s intention to be engaged constructively, both within the 1540 Committee and with the broader United Nations membership, in order to ensure that the outcomes of the comprehensive review will bear fruit and help to further strengthen the global non-proliferation architecture for weapons of mass destruction.

I would first like to thank Ambassador Sacha Llorentty Solíz for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), which contributes to ensuring transparency in the Committee’s work. We are also pleased that a Latin American country is currently chairing the Committee. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the increasing risk that they may fall into the hands of non-State actors are issues of major concern. The growing threat of terrorism and the possibility that non-State actors could acquire, develop, use or traffic in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons could have unpredictable and devastating consequences — hence the need to design early-warning systems for threats to international peace and security. The principal legally binding instrument currently available to us to combat that threat is resolution 1540 (2004), adopted unanimously more than a decade ago. The resolution’s preventive role and the Committee’s efforts in the four areas of its work — implementation, assistance, cooperation, transparency and dissemination — are fundamental. My delegation can testify to the 1540 Committee’s intense efforts last year during the comprehensive review process and the subsequent negotiation and unanimous adoption of resolution 2325 (2016), which was sponsored by a very large number of States. We were pleased that the Chair of the 1540 Committee reported today on the Committee’s current activities and proposed schedule for the next few months, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening and improving the resolution’s implementation. In that regard, we encourage it to continue promoting opportunities for dialogue and activities involving the participation of all Member States. My delegation would also like to reiterate that it is essential to improve assistance to States and cooperation among them if we are to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as to increase the coordination of national, subregional, regional and international efforts, as appropriate, in order to strengthen our response to this serious challenge. It is also incumbent on all States to take appropriate measures that accord with national and international law, and to scrupulously respect their obligations under international law and the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. Lastly, as we pointed out in December, Uruguay is continuing its work on developing a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), and in that regard we are currently preparing for the visit to Montevideo by the Committee’s experts in the next few months.

My delegation would like to commend the British presidency for organizing today’s meeting, and to thank Ambassador Sacha Llorentty Solíz for his briefing and his leadership. In these times the role of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), which is to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their acquisition by non-State actors, is crucial, for current events have shown us that with the threat of terrorism, the risks of seeing non-State actors acquire nuclear, chemical or biological weapons are very real. That is why my delegation welcomed the comprehensive review of resolution 1540 (2016) conducted in 2016, which is a significant element in our collective efforts to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The review provided an opportunity to focus on the strategic choices of Member States and regional and international organizations, as well as encouraging civil society to take a more comprehensive, coordinated and coherent approach to dealing with challenges to international peace and security. It is therefore important to monitor the implementation by Member States of the concrete, practical and appropriate steps in the light of the recommendations resulting from the revision process and the new resolution 2325 (2016). In this regard, strengthening cooperation and the exchange of experience in the areas of border control, surveillance of financial flows and Internet networks, and legal assistance is more important than ever. The same applies to the development of an appropriate strategy to prevent and combat the risk of weapons of mass destruction falling into the wrong hands. As far as Africa is concerned, the African Union is to be commended for its political commitment to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by the African States, as can be seen in its efforts to organize several meetings on this topic. At the level of African States themselves, the development of appropriate legislation and the submission of implementation reports are clearly continuing, but more needs to be done, including the adoption of national legal frameworks with respect to biological weapons and effective internal control mechanisms in relation to sensitive materials and technologies. However, the already fruitful cooperation that exists between the 1540 Committee and the African countries, most of which have benefited from the Committee’s support in the implementation of the resolution, is to be welcomed. It would therefore be useful to maintain this cooperation in order to improve assistance procedures, identify and analyse assistance needs, and pursue dialogue on assistance with international, regional, subregional organizations and, where appropriate, with non-governmental organizations. It is also important to encourage the training of national focal points. Accordingly, my delegation invites Member States with the resources to do so to provide all necessary assistance to those countries that need it. My delegation is of the view that for there to be greater efficiency and synergies in our efforts, it is important to set up a sustainable mechanism to ensure better interaction and coordination between donors of assistance and beneficiaries in order to avoid overlap and duplication and identify the best practices in this field in order to take advantage of them. The immediate challenge is to better coordinate existing tools in order to limit the possibility of non-State actors engaging in proliferation, as the Chair of the Committee has rightly pointed out. We also commend the important role of civil society, academics and all those involved in the fight against proliferation. In conclusion, I reiterate the readiness and unwavering commitment of Senegal to spare no effort in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and, to this end, we are ready to cooperate fully with the 1540 Committee and its Chairman, Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz, to whom we renew our wishes for complete success in his important work at the head of the Committee.

I congratulate Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz and welcome him as the new Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). I wish him every success in fulfilling this important responsibility. We appreciate his informative briefing and commend him on the immense progress that has been achieved already. At the same time, we should acknowledge that many strides still need to be made. I make the following observations for the Security Council’s consideration. As we know, this is a most crucial period for the Committee, which, after having covered much ground over the past five years, is now moving to a completely new level. A new expanded mandate with wider functions, as well as new challenges and threats, present a vast new areas of work and great responsibility, not only for the Committee and its new Chair but also for all Member States. Kazakhstan is a strong supporter of strengthening the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) non-proliferation regime. We are committed to these efforts and strictly comply with all the requirements of resolution 1540 (2004). We are also firmly committed to our fulfilling our obligations under the new resolution 2325 (2016). My country is a member of the Group of Friends of Resolution 1540, and we are among the 77 Member States that sponsored resolution 2325 (2016). On 11 and 12 March 2014, Astana hosted a seminar on the contribution of resolution 1540 (2004) in regional and global disarmament and non-proliferation dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the resolution in the Central Asia + format. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the 1540 Committee. I would like to note that the Committee’s sixteenth programme of work, for 2017, is the most comprehensive of its kind. It requires all of us to redouble our efforts to press our collective action to strengthen the WMD non-proliferation regime in the most effective manner possible. As we heard in the Chair’s briefing, some of the provisions of the programme are already being implemented. I fully agree with the Chair that there cannot be a common approach for all and that the specificity of States needs to be taken into account. I am confident that individual interactions with each country, visits to States, increased outreach activities and sufficient financial resources will contribute significantly to advancing our actions to counter contemporary threats and challenges. In the Committee’s work programme, we also consider the tasks of continuing to institute transparency measures and to set up outreach activities to be of great importance. These tasks could enable effective interaction among States Members of the United Nations and inform them of all our achievements. We therefore consider it very useful to conduct regular meetings open to all Member States on the Committee’s activities. The threat of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of non-State actors, especially destructive terrorist organizations, has significantly increased. In this regard, correctly assessing the evolving nature of the risk of proliferation and rapid advances in science and technology as well as responding in a timely manner with proactive measures should become our main tasks. Paragraph 27 of resolution 2325 (2016) reiterates the need to enhance ongoing cooperation among the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1540 (2004), 1267 (1999), 2253 (2015), on Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaida, and 1373 (2001), on the Counter-Terrorism Committee. As the Chair of the Sanctions Committee on ISIL, Da’esh and Al-Qaida, Kazakhstan is ready for cooperation within our respective mandates. Given the importance of capacity-building, Kazakhstan is considering making a voluntary contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities in order to assist States in implementing their obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). In conclusion, we call for greater multilateral confidence and trust to be achieved so that the powerful global anti-nuclear movement may prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We need to rise above our national interests when it comes to the common good for people and the planet.

I would like to thank Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz of the Plurinational State of Bolivia for his interesting briefing and his ongoing efforts as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We welcome the adoption of the programme of work of the 1540 Committee for 2017, in accordance with resolution 2325 (2016), which was adopted by the Security Council late last year with respect to the comprehensive review of the resolution 1540 (2004) regime. It is clear from that process that the international community considers it still to be necessary to prevent non-State actors, especially terrorist groups, from manufacturing, acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction. This is a threat that Egypt and the States of the Middle East had to cope with last year. Indeed, Da’esh resorted to the use of chemical weapons several times, both inside Syria and elsewhere. Our collective efforts, within the framework of the joint programme, have focused on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Indeed, the Committee has pursued the submission of comprehensive reports on implementation and has sought to do so without any appearance of interference. It is essential to respect the sovereignty of Member States, which is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. It is also very important to provide adequate technical assistance to States that require it, and as quickly as possible. Cooperation with the various international and regional organizations and subregional entities must also be promoted, and we must seek to raise awareness and ensure transparency through broad international participation. Our goal in the framework of the new programme of work is to improve the means for implementing resolution 1540 (2004) at all levels, primarily through key practical recommendations and efforts within its four main working groups — in coordination with the Expert Group of the Committee, which is carrying out concrete and skilful work with the Secretariat, the Office for Disarmament Affairs and other Departments.

Let me first thank Ambassador Llorentty Solíz for his briefing today and for the presentation of the programme of work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). Almost three months after the Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2325 (2016) on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, today’s meeting is an opportunity to come together to discuss non-proliferation challenges and our joint efforts to address them. The situation has not changed. The proliferation of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons and their delivery systems and their risk of use by States or terrorist groups remain very real dangers. In North Korea and Syria, the non-proliferation standard that is at the heart of our collective security is regularly, and even openly, being flouted. The rapid development of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic programmes is cause for great concern, as is the use of chemical weapons in Syria. I note that the responsibility for those ghastly actions has already been attributed to the Syrian Army and Da’esh in four cases, and the possibility of there being additional such weapons in Syria increases the risk of the spread of those toxic chemical substances. In the face of such extremely serious challenges, we must, more than ever, be mobilized for action. The 1540 Committee will guide the actions of all States, so as to pool efforts to combat proliferation in a tangible way. I would also like to thank the Expert Group of the Committee for their crucial analysis and awareness- raising, which is indispensable to the action of the Committee. The 2016 comprehensive review confirmed measurable progress, both nationally and regionally, in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and subsequent resolutions. Nevertheless, despite the progress achieved in the past 12 years, much work still lies ahead. We welcome the work carried out last year under the leadership of Spain, which enabled us to strengthen the means at our disposal through the adoption of resolution 2325 (2016). This year’s promising programme of work of the 1540 Committee, which has just been presented to us, also seems well-conceived and allows us understand the path ahead. I would like to stress the importance of the cooperation, assistance and interaction that must accompany our efforts. We must all prevent and curb the financing of weapons of mass destruction, do our best to secure our sensitive assets and materials and tighten controls over our exports in order to reduce the risk of their being misused in emerging technologies. However, we should not act alone. When it comes to cooperation and assistance, I pledge the commitment of my delegation, which has assumed responsibility for the coordination of the working group on assistance in order to improve the effectiveness of the assistance mechanism, along the lines already mentioned. France attaches particular importance to strengthening the regional dimension of assistance and consistency in meeting assistance needs. In that regard, the 2016 African Union Review and Assistance Conference on the Implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004) in Africa was a success and can serve as a tool and inspiration for future action. We welcome efforts undertaken by other stakeholders, as was noted by other speakers. I also note the role of the European Union, which, thanks to its ongoing dynamism and awareness- raising, does its part to promote cooperation. Finally, if we are to succeed, we must enhance synergies with organizations outside the United Nations that face the same challenges, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the World Customs Organization and the various export control regimes, as well as with entities within the United Nations such as the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter- terrorism and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism. We must strengthen the links among those organizations. We once again thank Bolivia for its leadership and commitment at the helm of the Committee and pledge our full support.

I thank Ambassador Llorentty Solíz for his report and his leadership of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We have a lot to guide us in our work this year. In addition to the report of the second comprehensive review, we also have resolution 2325 (2016), which the Security Council unanimously adopted last December. Today, I am going to touch briefly on the challenges that we continue to face, the importance of international cooperation and our particular emphasis in the United States on outreach and transparency. We are pleased with the momentum that was built last year, and the United States still sees the 1540 Committee as a crucial foundation for combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Resolution 2325 (2016) was positive. It provided the Committee with new tools for accomplishing our non-proliferation goals. Nonetheless, we still have a long way to go before we can say that the obligations of the Committee are being fully met. In that context, there are a number of recent, alarming developments, including the use of chemical weapons in Iraq, the alleged use of VX nerve agent in Malaysia and the confirmed use of chemical weapons by State and non-State actors in Syria. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s arsenal of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and its series of ballistic missile tests, all in violation of Council resolutions, along with its defiant threats to use weapons of mass destruction, make clear the great risk that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea poses to international peace and security. Moreover, we have real concerns about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a proliferation risk, as they could try to sell material or technology to bad actors in order to try to finance their own programmes. Against that backdrop, we believe that it is ever more urgent for the Committee to redouble its efforts to assist Member States in preventing the transfer of WMD-related material, expertise and technology to terrorists. For example, assistance among States is an essential part of resolution 1540 (2004), but States need to improve their communication and coordination with the Committee so as to ensure that the limited resources are being used effectively. Last year’s comprehensive review found that regional assistance efforts have been particularly effective. To that end, the United States contribution to the 1540 United Nations Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities is funding a 1540 Regional Coordinator position in the Organization of American States. We expect that official to be hired and working soon. The 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts will also continue to play a crucial role in monitoring and promoting the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Six of the nine experts are, however, scheduled to depart this year. We hope that the incoming experts will bring expertise and backgrounds in fields such as outreach, monitoring and evaluation, which are essential skills that the Committee needs. That leads me to my final point, which is on outreach and transparency. My delegation places a particular emphasis on outreach and transparency as vital tools for strengthening the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). In fact, as Chair of Working Group IV, on transparency and media outreach, the United States helped to sponsor a student essay contest with the Stimson Centre, which is a non-profit research institution that focuses on international peace and security. There were over 150 essay submissions from undergraduate and graduate students in 44 countries around the world. Later this month, we expect to be ready to launch a fully updated version of the 1540 Committee’s website, which will make it easier to navigate and allow visitors to the site to quickly learn about the Committee and its many available resources. In conclusion, the United States looks forward to hearing Council members’ ideas on how we can work together to achieve full implementation of resolution of 2325 (2016), and we look forward to cooperating with all Council members to that end.

I want to begin by congratulating Bolivia and Ambassador Sacha Lllorentty Solíz on taking up the role of Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and for the recent adoption of the programme of work. We are very pleased to have assumed our role as Vice-Chair and look forward to working together over the next year. Last year the Committee made much progress in its work under the chairmanship of Spain. I would like to compliment Ambassador Oyarzun Marchesi on his effective and ambitious leadership of the Committee last year. Progress included the adoption of resolution 2325 (2016), which represented a significant step forward for efforts to prevent non-State actors from acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction. It is important that we now build upon that momentum. The threat from non-State actors is real. We are still facing the risk of the trade in and proliferation of sensitive technology and materials. At the same time, we are highly concerned with the continuing use of weapons of mass destruction in the form of chemical weapons, including by non-State actors, in places such as Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. We must do our part to prevent such disregard for the international non-proliferation regime by urgently supporting the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and its successor resolutions. We should not limit our vigilance to items and materials. Knowledge and information also represent important factors in the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction. For that reason, we are particularly pleased that this issue, often called “intangible transfers of technology” (ITT) is reflected in resolution 2325 (2016) and in the programme of work of the Committee. We welcome the expert meeting on ITT planned for later this year. We also commend the work of the Group of Experts, not least its outreach-related efforts at the regional and subregional levels, and we encourage efforts to improve matchmaking and the clarity of assistance requests. Finally, Sweden remains strongly committed to the objective of resolution 1540 (2004) to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery by non-State actors. In order to pursue that objective, we have contributed some $60,000 to the 1540 trust fund in order to facilitate the implementation of our programme of work.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United Kingdom. I begin by welcoming Sacha Llorentty Solíz to the Council for the first time in his role as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) , and I join others in thanking him for his briefing. I would also like to thank all Council members for their remarks today. Today, I think they have all shown that the Council is united and determined to prevent biological, chemical and nuclear material from falling into the hand of terrorists or other non-State actors. Sadly, on the Council we know only too well that is no longer a hypothetical threat. The nightmare scenario has been seen in too many places: in Iraq, where we have seen worrying, persistent reports of terrorists using chemical weapons; in Syria, where the United Nations-mandated investigation has proven that chemical weapons have been used both by Da’esh and by the Al-Assad regime; and now in Malaysia, where we were all shocked by reports that VX was used to kill Kim Jong Nam. As those events prove, proliferation threats do not stand still. They are constantly evolving, and we must remain alert to new trends. We will have to be adaptable and nimble to keep our citizens safe. Ensuring that States have the means and resources at their disposal to deal with those threats is the foundation of resolution 1540 (2004). It sets out how we can make ourselves more secure by ensuring that our legislation limits the ability to develop such weapons, by having the right controls in place to safeguard potentially hazardous material and by hardening our borders to stop their spread. This is collective security. One State’s resilience can prevent the spread of a threat to others, but just as one State can help our collective security so, too, can one State undermine it. The current implementation rate of 1540 measures worldwide is 48 per cent. We must continue to work towards the full, universal fulfilment of those obligations. In 2017, we should maintain the momentum and energy from the comprehensive review and ensure that we effectively implement the taskings from resolution 2235 (2016). We should stay abreast of advances in science and technology that may increase the proliferation risk, but may also present us with opportunities to tackle the threat better, for instance through advances in cyber, three-dimensional printing and drones. The Council broke new ground last year by calling on States to adopt effective national control lists for sensitive materials  — a vital step in an effective non-proliferation regime. We should work collaboratively with those who have already developed effective national control lists and support those who are just starting out. We should continue to offer assistance and technical support to those who need it to implement resolution 1540 (2004) fully. Better matching of requests for assistance to those who require it should follow a more regional approach, as agreed by the Council last year. But in truth such preventative measures will count for little if there is continued impunity for those who use biological, chemical or nuclear material as weapons. It is not enough just to condemn; we have to take action whenever a weapon of mass destruction is used and we must ensure that there are meaningful consequences for State actors and non-State actors alike. Last month, in response to the findings of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism, I regret that a minority of Council members blocked a draft resolution that would have imposed measures responding to atrocities committed in Syria. We must draw on the unity we show on the 1540 Committee to find the consensus needed to act against the use of such weapons. In conclusion, it is clear that the 1540 Committee has a huge task ahead, and Sacha Llorentty Solíz has the full support of the United Kingdom in making as much progress as he can. I resume my functions as President of the Security Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.