S/PV.8487 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 His Excellency Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). I give the floor to Ambassador Djani.

I am honoured to have the opportunity, as the new Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), to brief the Security Council on the work of the Committee since our most recent briefing, in October 2018 (see S/PV.8364). I wish to express my gratitude to Ambassador Llorenty Solíz and his staff for their solid chairmanship of the Committee, followed by a smooth handover to my team. Since the adoption of resolution 1540 (2004), on 28 April 2004, significant progress has been made towards its implementation. Nevertheless, in resolution 2325 (2016), the Security Council recognized that the full and effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) is a long-term task that will require continual efforts at the national, regional and international levels. To date, 182 countries have submitted initial reports providing the Committee with information on the measures they have taken, or plan to take, to comply with their obligations under the resolution. In October 2018, two 1540 experts visited the Republic of Mali in order to support the national authorities in drafting a first national report on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Additionally, on behalf of the Committee, I recently sent letters to non-reporting States seeking their first reports as well as notes verbales to reporting States requesting up-to-date information to assist the Committee in its preparations for the next comprehensive review. The effectiveness of the practical steps taken at the national level to implement the resolution is also important. One helpful step in this regard is for States to develop voluntary national implementation action plans, as encouraged by paragraph 5 of resolution 2325 (2016). It helps to identify actions to close any gaps and vulnerabilities in regulations and national control frameworks, foster interagency cooperation and identify areas where assistance may be required. Work on these action plans with Member States, at their request, will continue this year, including at a recent workshop hosted by Togo and an upcoming one in Madagascar. Exchanges and sharing of information by Member States constitute one of the Committee’s core activities. The Member States are in the best position to identify effective national practices and to share them with the 1540 Committee and other partners. During the past few years, an increasing number of States have undertaken peer reviews. The Committee looks forward to an opportunity to hear about the results of their peer review meetings later this year, and will continue to support States that wish to conduct them, where appropriate. The 1540 Committee recognizes the role of the national points of contact in support of the resolution’s implementation. One hundred and five Member States have informed the Committee of their points of contact, including updated information from Hungary, India and Turkey. In addition, the Committee has developed regional training courses for points of contact and, in cooperation with the African Union, will organize a training for 1540 points of contact of English-speaking African States next week. In facilitating assistance to foster Member States’ capacity to implement their 1540 obligations, the Committee has a matchmaking role and seeks to match assistance requests from States with offers from States or international, regional or subregional organizations. Pending assistance requests are displayed on the 1540 homepage and date back to 2010. Today, 21 assistance requests are still open. However, assistance related to specific elements of 1540 implementation has been provided in the past several months to two of the requesting countries  — namely, Togo and Zambia — on strategic trade control enforcement, both in cooperation with the World Customs Organization and other organizations. The 1540 Committee webpage also includes lists of States and international, regional and subregional organizations that have offered assistance in general. I can also report that in 2018, nine new requests for assistance were submitted to the Committee by Bahrain, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Madagascar, Mali and Peru. Several requests consisted of invitations to the Committee and its Group of Experts to visit those States to discuss assistance on implementation measures. To date, 47 States and 16 organizations have informed the Committee about general assistance programmes that could help facilitate their implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). The Committee stands ready to add new programmes or updated information on available assistance to its website and to facilitate this process, I have sent letters on behalf of the Committee to Member States and international, regional and subregional organizations, soliciting their updated offers of assistance. The Committee and its Group of Experts have maintained the momentum of outreach events in the course of fulfilling the Committee’s programme of work and will continue to do so with the adoption of this year’s programme of work on 6 February. In 2018, there was a total of 51 events in which the Chair, Committee members and the Group of Experts participated. A top priority is direct engagement with States through visits and national roundtables, at their invitation. In the course of this process, increased use has been made of the support that can be offered by regional organizations, including the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs regional centres. For example, the Committee cooperated with the Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean during a national round table on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in Peru last November, and more recently with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa in Equatorial Guinea and Togo during awareness-raising and national capacity-building workshops in December and January, respectively. We have also intensified our engagement with international organizations whose mandates are directly related to resolution 1540 (2004), such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL, the World Customs Organization and the World Health Organization. The Committee has encouraged these organizations to highlight obligations under resolution 1540 (2004) in their model legislation or guidelines and, in December, during an inception workshop on the African Union Comprehensive Model Law on Weapons of Mass Destruction, held in Vienna. Transparency and outreach are vital to the effective implementation of the resolution. With that in mind, the Committee is seeking ways to make better use of its website. For example, we have continued to publish a quarterly message from the Chair that goes out to those of the wider 1540 network who have registered their interest, including civil society. A special effort is being made to engage parliamentarians through, for example, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). In this regard, my predecessor took the opportunity to deliver a video message in October to the 139th Assembly of the IPU in Geneva. Active engagement between the State and relevant sectors of society, including industry, academia and professional associations, could also contribute to the full implementation of obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). Further, an effective partnership between States and industry is vital to successful non-proliferation efforts. The Wiesbaden process conferences foster such a dialogue between States and industry. In accordance with paragraph 3 of resolution 1977 (2011), the Security Council, inter alia, decided to conduct a review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) prior to the expiry of the Committee’s mandate in April 2021. In this regard, the Committee is mandated to include, if necessary, recommendations on adjustments to its mandate and submit to the Security Council a report on the conclusions of the review. The Committee has begun its preparatory work for the upcoming comprehensive review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). I will conclude my remarks by drawing the Council’s attention to the work of the Group of Experts supporting the Committee in its implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). The Group is now operating with nine experts, including the Coordinator appointed by the Secretary-General last May. I regret to inform the Council that the experts’ contracts for 2019 were issued for only four months, owing to ongoing financial challenges affecting the United Nations, which is of serious concern. If this situation is not remedied before the end of April, the Committee will face serious challenges in meeting its obligations to the Security Council and realizing the activities agreed upon under its current programme of work.

I thank Ambassador Djani for his briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

I thank Ambassador Djani for his briefing. As we have been reminded too many times sitting in this Council, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDS) and their means of delivery, including to terrorists and other non-State actors, remains a real and current threat. Today’s briefing reminds us of the critical importance of fully and effectively implementing resolution 1540 (2004). We welcome the renewed energy that the Indonesian chairmanship brings to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We also applaud the efforts of the 1540 Group of Experts, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs for their steadfast efforts to support the effective implementation of the resolution. The United States has provided more than $4 million towards the 1540 Trust Fund and hundreds of millions of dollars and non-proliferation assistance to partner countries. We will continue to provide support for this effort and we encourage our international partners to do the same. Resolution 1540 (2004) is the only legally binding instrument requiring United Nations Member States to adopt controls to prevent WMD proliferation. We encourage countries to engage the resources of the 1540 Committee. We call on the Committee to expand its outreach efforts so that countries are better equipped to identify WMD non-State actor vulnerabilities and effectively address them. Looking forward, the Security Council is required to complete its comprehensive review of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by 2020. As we prepare for this effort, we encourage all States that have not yet submitted their initial reports to do so without delay. We encourage those States that have submitted their initial reports to provide additional information on further steps taken to implement the resolution since the Committee’s initial report. We call upon States Members of the United Nations that have not done so to appoint a national coordinator or point of contact for the 1540 Committee and to provide contact information for those designees to the Committee. That will allow for a direct communication network to be established between the 1540 (2004) Committee and the community of relevant policymakers throughout the Governments of Member States. We also encourage States in need of assistance in relation to implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) to submit their requests to the Committee and to remain in touch with the Committee as to the status of those requests. As we look forward to the renewal of the mandate of the 1540 Committee in 2021, we urge our fellow Council members to adapt to evolving proliferation threats that fall within the remit of resolution 1540 (2004). In particular, we should be mindful of emerging technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, which could be used as a means of WMD delivery, and synthetic biology, which is already reconfiguring the way in which life scientists conduct their research. The next two years will demonstrate the effectiveness of resolution 1540 (2004). We should seize this opportunity to add renewed momentum to our implementation of the resolution. We call upon the Secretariat to ensure that the Committee and, in particular, the Group of Experts have the resources that they need to recruit and retain the most talented capable personnel available in pursuit of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). I encourage my fellow members of the Council to join us in making resolution 1540 (2004) as effective as possible. The stakes are too high for us to do otherwise.

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea congratulates Ambassador Djani, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), on his briefing on the activities and programme of work of the 1540 Committee for 2019. We express our support for the success of the aforementioned programme of work. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is fully aligned with the pillars that support and promote the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and reaffirms its commitment to stepping up its cooperation and to raising awareness of the activities of the 1540 Committee to fulfil its mandate to ensure that Member States fully implement resolution 1540 (2004). The Republic of Equatorial Guinea believes that it is important to strengthen the non-proliferation system for nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, as well as civil nuclear security. As a country committed to global security and international non-proliferation instruments, we held our first workshop in December 2018 in close cooperation with the 1540 Committee and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, represented by its regional office in Africa, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, to establish mechanisms for the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. We believe it essential that all countries of the world participate in reporting on national implementation plans and encourage the Committee to pursue its negotiations and educational activities on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Africa, my region, is a nuclear-weapon-free zone thanks to the signing of the Treaty of Pelindaba, which represents a model of collective action in working towards a nuclear-weapon-free world and in developing the most advanced regional treaties on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. For example, the management of its uranium resources is a fundamental issue for Africa because certain companies are increasingly eyeing Africa’s uranium. We want those reserves, which were given to us by God, to be used only for peaceful purposes, as the Treaty of Pelindaba states. In order to prevent confrontation that could lead to the destruction of humankind, it is essential that we continue to progress towards the overriding objective of nuclear disarmament throughout the planet and in every corner of the world, including States that possess weapons of mass destruction as well as those that intend to possess them. Effective nuclear weapons control requires solutions that go beyond national borders. The threat to life on our planet from nuclear weapons poses a particular problem to the existence of those same States that possess such weapons as well as countries such as ours that do not possess them, animals, vegetation and all humankind. Dealing with each of those threats requires a concept of international security that is more focused on love for humankind. We have seen from the relevant reports that on 28 February of this year the Government of Vietnam had carefully prepared for the hosting of the second summit on peace and non-proliferation on the Korean peninsula between the leaders of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Un. We would have like to have heard that the summit was a complete success. We hope that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States continue to make more substantive progress towards denuclearization, peace and stability on the Korean peninsula based on what has already been achieved. The position of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on the issue of the Korean peninsula is to achieve the peninsula’s denuclearization and to ensure and safeguard lasting peace and stability in the region and in the world in general. We highlight the valuable support of the radiation and nuclear regulatory bodies to their members, such as the 1540 (2004) Committee and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and their work to update and improve the regulatory framework in each member State and for regional and international consistency. My delegation wishes to highlight the readiness of our Government for technical and scientific exchange with other States in the context of cooperation, assistance and a joint review on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). We also wish to say to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) that the dissemination and implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in States Members of the United Nations should not be only through the adoption of legislation. The Committee should also support technical aspects, such as assistance for the detection of nuclear and radioactive material at the main entry and exit points for goods in countries, in particular those such as ours.

Let me begin by thanking the Ambassador of Indonesia for his briefing and for his work since assuming the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). The 1540 (2004) Committee is an importance cornerstone of the international non-proliferation architecture. As such, it is a key part of the rules-based international system. The Committee plays a vital role in helping States to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons to non-State actors, thereby strengthening our collective efforts to deter and eradicate the use of such weapons. We need only look at instances in recent years where chemical weapons have been used by groups such as Da’esh in Iraq and Syria to realize what is at stake. We cannot stand by and allow the unconscionable use of such weapons to take place. The United Kingdom therefore is and will remain a strong supporter of the work of the Committee. We are pleased that this year’s programme of work has been adopted swiftly and see two key priorities for the Committee’s work this year under the leadership of the Indonesian Ambassador. The first priority is the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). With the assistance of the Committee, all States should work to ensure that their legislation, national control frameworks and mechanisms for both internal and international cooperation are up to date and fit for purpose. It is particularly important that States with specific circumstances, such as being nexus points in global supply chains, take extra care to ensure that they are implementing resolution 1540 (2004) effectively. As the Ambassador of Indonesia mentioned this morning, developing voluntary national action plans and assigning national points of contact are practical steps that all States can take. We commend such steps to all States Members of the United Nations today. We also join the United States in urging all States that have not yet voluntarily reported their implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) to the Committee to do so as quickly and as practically as possible. In an interconnected world, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and the responsibility lies with all of us. Looking ahead, we recognize that the next comprehensive review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) will take place in 2021. The United Kingdom stands ready to do all it can to make sure that that process is thorough and effective and that it leads to practical outcomes in deterring and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. A second priority should be assistance to States. I am once again grateful that the Ambassador of Indonesia highlighted the issue in his remarks this morning. The effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) is not straightforward, however vital it may be. I welcome the work already being done by the Committee to facilitate the provision of assistance to States that have requested it, including by helping coordinate it with other States and international organizations that have the capacity to provide it. The United Kingdom stands ready to provide legal and regulatory expertise, as well as broader support, to States looking to meet their obligations and strengthen their national frameworks. In that regard, the work of Working Group II, coordinated by France, is particularly important, and I want to take this opportunity to thank France, as well as Peru, Côte d’Ivoire and the United States, coordinating the other Working Groups, for their diligent efforts. I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the vital work being done by the Group of Experts, coordinated by Mr. Raphaël Prenat. The United Kingdom notes with concern the financial situation that Ambassador Djani highlighted and will be following the issue very closely. The work of the 1540 Committee focuses on preventing the use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors. However, I should not conclude without also touching briefly, as my colleague from Equatorial Guinea did, on the use of weapons of mass destruction by State actors, because when we see States using chemical weapons in flagrant breach of international law, there are proliferation consequences. The use of such weapons by an organization as craven as Da’esh is unconscionable, as is Government use of chemical weapons against its own people, as in the case of Syria, or against another State, as happened on the streets of Salisbury in the United Kingdom, just over a year ago. The rules-based international order has been essential to the security and safety of the international community for more than 70 years. If we are to continue to enjoy that security and safety, it must remain our collective duty to uphold that international order and prevent the heinous use of such weapons, whoever uses them.

We thank Ambassador Djani for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We commend him for the efforts he has made since assuming the chairmanship of the Committee to effectively implement resolution 1540 (2004) and for his dynamism. We appreciate his delegation and that of the United Kingdom for using their good offices in order to ensure the timely adoption of the Committee’s programme of work. We would first like to highlight the primary role of resolution 1540 (2004) in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their access by non-State actors, including terrorists. The threat they pose today to international peace and security is real and worrisome. As proof of that, we have the final report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Fact-finding Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic, which confirmed the use of toxic chemicals as weapons containing molecular chlorine in the attacks in the city of Douma in April 2018, which left many injured and resulted in the deaths of 43 people, including women and children. That is in addition to the list of other cases involving the use of chemical weapons in Syria and Iraq, including those confirmed by the Joint Investigation Mechanism of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of the use of mustard gas on several occasions by the terrorists of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. Another worrying matter is nuclear proliferation on the Korean peninsula. Of course, we commend the political and diplomatic progress that has been made. However, there is evidence that nuclear facilities and ballistic missiles remain in operation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and continue to be developed. Efforts continue to disperse storage and test sites around the country. The situation highlights the importance of implementing resolution 1540 (2004) and should be considered a priority. Efforts by the international community to eradicate the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and prevent their use by non-State and State actors alike must be strengthened. The Dominican Republic is committed to its obligations under international instruments that call for disarmament, non-proliferation and refraining from giving support to non-State actors seeking to develop, acquire, transfer or use any type of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. In that regard, as part of our commitment to implementing resolution 1540 (2004), together with Panama, we agreed to conduct a peer review to share experiences and good practices in its implementation. The topics to be evaluated are reviews of national and international legislation, strategic trade, safe transport and risk management in chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear and explosive emergencies. The assessments will be conducted in the Dominican Republic from 26 to 29 March and in Panama from 9 to 12 April. Our national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) is one of the measures we are taking to comply with our commitments. It was prepared in collaboration with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and presented to the Committee in 2015 ahead of the second comprehensive review of the status of the resolution’s implementation. In that regard, we would like to highlight the work of UNLIREC, the Organization of American States Inter-American Committee against Terrorism, the Committee’s Group of Experts, States and other regional and international organizations in providing assistance to our country and others and in fostering cooperation for the effective implementation of the resolution’s obligations. Cooperation and assistance are key to meeting those obligations and should be strengthened in order to better align the needs of the recipient State and the assistance offered. Incidentally, we deplore the fact that the professionals who make up the Group of Experts are having problems with bureaucratic procedures, which we hope can become more flexible and enable the situation to improve, since it is the Experts who ensure that the Committee functions well and honours its own commitments. In conclusion, we welcome the progress made in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and related subsequent resolutions — as is the case with Mali, which is preparing its first implementation report — as well as in the various activities that the Committee has undertaken to meet its objectives. We must continue to work unrelentingly to universalize this important resolution, which is the cornerstone of the regime for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

We thank Ambassador Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia, for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We would like to thank Ambassador Djani and his team for their conscientious stewardship of this subsidiary body of the Security Council. We look forward to productive cooperation in the future and will fully support him in his endeavours. Resolution 1540 (2004) is rightly considered a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation architecture. The Security Council’s adoption of it by consensus in 2004 was the result of a joint initiative of Russia and the United States aimed at establishing a robust legal and law-enforcement bulwark to prevent weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) from falling into the hands of non-State actors, including terrorists. That means that for the past 15 years we have been able to work together to identify a problem that is now manifest in extremely serious forms. The particular value of resolution 1540 (2004) consists in the fact that it is a mechanism for cooperation, not coercion or the imposition of so- called solutions. Its adoption launched an era of cooperation in the collective work of countering one of the world’s most serious threats to global stability. The responsibility for implementing the resolution lies with States. International and regional organizations, industry, business, academic and scientific circles and other sectors of civil society play a very important but secondary role in helping States to implement specific provisions. Resolution 2325 (2016), adopted in accordance with the results of the 2016 review process, helped to further strengthen the 1540 Committee’s non-proliferation mandate, facilitating the exchange of best practices for its implementation and improving the effectiveness of assistance to States in need of it, while taking their specific requirements into account. We believe firmly that the goal established by resolution 1977 (2011) of conducting comprehensive reviews of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) should be a priority for the Committee. In order to prepare properly for the process it is important first of all to ensure that States, international and regional organizations, business and academic circles develop recommendations and proposals that in the event of a consensus-based adoption will underpin the Committee’s new mandate for the period following 25 April 2021. In that regard we believe the Committee could hold an open meeting to which all interested stakeholders would be invited. Brainstorming would help to identify additional directions for cooperation. We want to point out that the approach to assessing the operations of the Committee and its Groups of Experts should be a professional one guided by the principle of “first do no harm”. Surrounding the Committee with additional bureaucratic structures, limiting the continuity of experts’ contracts or artificially promoting radical but unconsidered proposals could lead to additional bureaucratization and create obstacles rather than enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of this important body’s activity. Combating the proliferation of WMDs is one of Russia’s military and political priorities. Like any other difficult issue, what it needs is concerted, coordinated effort on the part of all States, without exception. We need engagement and cooperation, not confrontation. We are interested in reaching common positions with our partners with the purpose of advancing the non-proliferation agenda as quickly as possible, especially considering that the problems in this area continue to worsen. In the light of the continued activity in the Middle East of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and other terrorist groups, which have acquired the technology for producing chemical weapons use and are making active use of it, the significance of collective efforts to prevent the terrifying problem of chemical terrorism is only increasing. We should act quickly, especially given the fact that as the situation in Syria is resolved, the terrorists, including those with practical experience in the area of chemical weapons, will try to seek refuge in third countries and continue to ply their destructive trade there. For our part, we intend to continue participating actively in the Committee’s work. We look forward to constructive and productive cooperation with all partners in the interests of ensuring the fullest possible implementation of the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004) in order to prevent weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery from falling into the hands of non-State actors.

My delegation welcomes today’s meeting to consider the report of activities of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), on non-proliferation. We commend Ambassador Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia, for his excellent briefing. We wish him every success in the conduct of his mission and pledge him our support. Scientific and technological progress has contributed to the development and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which represent a serious threat to international peace and security. My delegation is seriously concerned about that continued threat and the risk of non-State actors acquiring such weapons. In that context, we welcome the significant progress that has been made in countering non-proliferation since the adoption of resolution 1540 (2004) and the subsequent resolutions that go to make up its regime. In that regard, we commend the outstanding work of the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts in assisting States to fulfil their obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions. We welcome the fact that 182 States have submitted their first reports to date. However, we believe that there are still immense challenges in this area. Continued national, regional and international efforts are therefore essential to preventing non-State actors, particularly terrorist groups, from developing, possessing, manufacturing, acquiring, transporting, transferring or using weapons of mass destruction in all their nuclear, chemical and biological forms. Côte d’Ivoire continues to believe that combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a long-term task that requires an integrated and coordinated approach at the regional level from all stakeholders, including Member States, international and regional organizations, the private sector and civil society. In particular, States should work together to identify best practices for preventing the diversion of chemical agents. It is also vital to harmonize national legal frameworks for the effective implementation of measures on a global scale to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and establish effective national controls for related materials. That means strengthening collaboration on border control, on the surveillance of financial flows and Internet networks and on legal assistance, as well as adapting the means for combating evolving threats. In addition, we should emphasize the importance of capacity-building for Member States in order to help them implement their obligations. In that regard, my delegation welcomes the regional capacity-building workshops and concrete measures aimed at facilitating the implementation of the relevant resolutions on non-proliferation. We welcome the adoption of voluntary national action plans and the forthcoming joint holding of a meeting with the African Union to strengthen the capacities of points of contact. We must also work to gradually eliminate weapons of mass destruction. In that context, we should give the Secretary-General’s disarmament programme more consideration. We also believe that the Committee should continue to work to strengthen its cooperation with international, regional and subregional organizations and to promote the exchange of information and best practices. In that connection, my country welcomes the enriching experiences led by States participating in peer reviews, which is a good example of cooperation among countries in implementing measures to combat proliferation. My delegation would like to reiterate its full support for the work of the 1540 Committee and urges it to continue its rigorous and effective work by calling on States to ensure the effective implementation of international legal standards relating to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and strict compliance with them. We believe that the Group of Experts entrusted with assisting the Committee has a key role to play and therefore fully endorse the concern expressed by Ambassador Djani about its members’ administrative situation, with a view to finding an appropriate and speedy solution. We also attach great importance to the strategic review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) scheduled for 2021. In conclusion, my country, which has ratified virtually all the relevant international legal instruments on the subject, in particular the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, would like to reiterate its willingness to cooperate with all parties to support the actions of the 1540 Committee and to strengthen the non-proliferation regime with a view to achieving peace throughout the world.

We want to thank Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We commend him and his team for their work and express our strong support for promoting the full implementation by all States of resolution 1540 (2004). Peru would like to reiterate its resolute commitment to efforts to achieve general and complete disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and their means of delivery, which pose a threat to international peace and security. We are particularly concerned about their link to the terrorist threat and the risk that non-State actors might acquire, develop or use such weapons and their means of delivery or engage in their trafficking. Peru believes it is essential that the international community remain united in responding effectively to the serious challenges facing non-proliferation regimes. In that regard, it is urgent and indispensable to address the challenge posed by the nuclear and ballistic missile programme of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Peru supports and implements the sanctions regime imposed against that country, and hopes that the dialogue established with the North Korean Government will pave the way for the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We also want to stress the importance of maintaining the Security Council’s steadfast and united commitment to the case of the unacceptable use of chemical weapons in Syria, with a view to fully investigating the facts and ensuring appropriate accountability through the mechanism for the attribution of responsibilities. We are equally concerned that the inappropriate use of scientific innovations may lead to proliferation activities, in particular through the illegal transfer of technology and illicit financial transactions. In that regard, we wish to emphasize the importance of the implementation, by all States, of measures to fulfil all their obligations, especially those related to national and export controls. It is necessary for all States to have effective national controls, in accordance with resolution 2325 (2016). In that regard, in order to implement the measures set out in resolution 1540 (2004), last November Peru organized a round table that brought together national authorities to discuss aligning our national legislation in the area of biological weapons. We are grateful for the support we received from the Committee and its Group of Experts. Finally, we underscore the importance of the Committee’s work, especially the work it is carrying through its programme of work to promote the full implementation of resolution 2325 (2016), which will serve as the basis for its next comprehensive review in 2021, in accordance with paragraph 3 of resolution 1977 (2011).

China would like to thank Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), for his briefing. The Committee has recently done a great deal of effective work in facilitating the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and in enhancing capacity- building and technical assistance. Its successful adoption of this year’s programme of work has resulted in a preliminary scheduling of meetings for the year, while initial preparations for a comprehensive review in 2021 have been initiated. China commends the efforts of the Chair of the Committee and his team. In recent years, thanks to long-term joint efforts of all parties, the international non-proliferation consensus has steadily grown, its mechanism has gradually improved and cooperation has further developed. At the same time, the global security landscape remains complex and grave. In a globalizing world with technological advances, the risk that non-State actors, in particular terrorists, might gain access to weapons of mass destruction and related materials and technologies still exists. Under the new circumstances, the international community should continue to enhance cooperation and further strengthen global governance in the area of non-proliferation. First, we must safeguard multilateralism and foster an enabling security environment. All countries should embrace the concept of shared, comprehensive, collaborative and sustainable security; foster a security environment of justice and fairness that is built and shared by all; build an international and regional environment that is safe for all; seek common security, while taking into account the legitimate concerns of all States in the area of security; and eradicate the breeding grounds of terrorism and extremism, as well as the drivings force of proliferation, thereby fundamentally removing the threats of proliferation. Secondly, the international community should uphold international rules and consolidate the international non-proliferation regime. It has adopted the Charter of the United Nations as its guiding principle in ensuring international non-proliferation and used as its legal basis the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the implementation of the relevant Council resolutions, such as resolution 1540 (2004). All parties and countries should effectively uphold the authority, universality and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime and prevent non-State actors, especially terrorists, from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and related materials and technologies. Thirdly, we must strengthen State responsibility and promote pragmatic cooperation. The primary responsibility for non-proliferation should be borne by Governments. We must respect and support countries in formulating non-proliferation policies in accordance with their national conditions and improve non-proliferation laws and regulations. All countries should enhance pragmatic non-proliferation cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, focus on meeting the international assistance needs of of developing countries in the field of non-proliferation and help developing countries strengthen their capacity- building. Fourthly, it is necessary to strictly abide by the mandate of the resolution 1540 (2004) and strengthen the full and effective implementation of the resolution. The 1540 Committee should adhere to the principle of consensus and ensure the primacy of Member States in non-proliferation efforts. We should balance the various efforts and effectively enhance the ability of States to implement the resolution. At the same time, we need to strengthen planning and facilitate the work on the 2021 comprehensive review in an orderly manner. China is firmly opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. China has consistently and strictly implemented its international non-proliferation obligations, committed to the political solution of non-proliferation hotspot issues and made positive contributions to that end. China is ready to further its cooperation with the Committee and will continue to work with all other countries to make a positive contribution to improving the international non-proliferation regime, enhancing global non-proliferation governance and building lasting peace and security for all.

I would like to thank Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani for his remarks and welcome him as the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). I assure him of my delegation’s full support in steering the work of that important Committee. Poland very much appreciates the objective and creative approach that Indonesia has adopted since the very beginning of its tenure in the Council. This year, under Indonesia’s leadership, the Committee has started preparatory work for the upcoming comprehensive review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), which will be completed in 2021. The comprehensive review will have two major objectives: first, to analyse the implementation of the resolution, and, secondly, to evaluate the process with a view to improving its effectiveness, analyse the work of the Committee and recommend any necessary changes. We should remember that, based on resolution 2325 (2016), recommendations should take into account the evolving nature of risks of proliferation and rapid advances in science, technology and commerce in the context of non-proliferation. We encourage non-reporting States to collaborate with the Committee and its Group of Experts with the aim of drafting their initial reports. One hundred and eighty-two countries have submitted at least their initial reports on the implementation of the resolution 1540 (2004) to the Committee. This is a good record, and it proves that the issue of non-proliferation remains among the main priorities of the international community. However, obligations under resolution 1540 (2004) are not a one-time task. We call on all States to fully implement that document by taking national and international measures aimed at strengthening their capacities, including by the establishment of national action plans, improving border management and law enforcement, international judicial cooperation, countering terrorist narratives and engaging communities. As an example of Poland’s serious engagement in building capacities and awareness in that regard, let me briefly inform Council members that, in May this year, we will organize, together with the United States, a three-day workshop on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The programming of that event will include discussion of elements of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors. We have invited countries from the broader region, the European Union Eastern Partnership, members and all PSI Operational Experts Group countries. As a country that, together with Croatia, organized the first peer review under resolution 1540 (2004), we commend those States that have conducted similar exercises. We welcome the most recent initiative of the Dominican Republic and Panama to organize a peer review this year. In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to express Poland’s appreciation for the professional and active work of the Group of Experts, whose expertise and knowledge provide valuable feedback for use in the decisions to be made by the Committee.

I would like, at the outset, to welcome Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani as the new Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004,) on preventing non-State actors and terrorist groups from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting or using all types of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), whether nuclear, chemical or biological. I also thank him for his informative briefing on the work of the Committee. I wish him and his team at the Permanent Mission of Indonesia every success. I would like also to thank the Committee’s Group of Experts and the relevant secretariat for their tremendous and tangible efforts in supporting the work of the Committee. We welcome the adoption of the 2019 programme of work of the 1540 Committee. The programme of work is a road map for Member States to develop strategies and national legislation for preventing non-State actors from possessing weapons of mass destruction. That would allow us to achieve the objective of a future free from those lethal weapons. We hope that this meeting will serve to further convince Member States of the need to enhance the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in an optimal way in order to reach the full implementation of its provisions and achieve universality. In that regard, I would like to note that the 2019 programme of work of the 1540 Committee is the most comprehensive one to date. It highlights the sectors that require more attention given the new threats of proliferation, as well as national plans along with country and regional visits by the Committee and its Group of Experts. The programme of work also addresses the special circumstances of States as they implement non-proliferation measures. It enhances as well the role of civil society in fighting the proliferation of all forms of WMDs. We all seek to develop and improve the performance of the 1540 Committee and its four working groups — on implementation, assistance, cooperation and transparency — as well as to operationalize its mechanisms at the national, regional and international levels. The Committee has become an integral part of international efforts to achieve non-proliferation owing to its great importance to maintaining international peace and security. We should all redouble our efforts in our collective work to enhance the non-proliferation regime and make it as effective as possible. The State of Kuwait has on more than one occasion expressed its concern about the challenges faced by the non-proliferation regime in the world today. The proliferation of WMDs and the threat of non-State actors acquiring them are quite worrisome issues, especially amid the increase in terrorist threats, conflicts and instability in our contemporary world. It is possible that non-State actors could come to possess, develop, use and traffic in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. The consequences of that would be grave and difficult to predict. Hence our main task should be to appropriately assess the evolving nature of the threat of proliferation and the rapid advancement of science and technology, as well as to take precautionary and proactive measures. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the State of Kuwait is committed to the position of the League of Arab States calling for making the world free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs including the Middle East region. We are keen to improve the work and performance of the Committee. In that regard, we are preparing for the visit by the Committee’s Group of Experts to the State of Kuwait in the next few months so as to benefit from their expertise and best practices with a view to submitting our next, updated voluntary report.

First of all, we welcome Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani of Indonesia as the new Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and thank him for his very informative and comprehensive the briefing. The risk of non-State actors, particularly terrorists, using weapons of mass destruction continues to be a huge threat for global security. Resolution 1540 (2004) therefore remains a central pillar of the multilateral non-proliferation architecture, as an important tool for preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors. This is an issue that needs our continued attention and cooperation. We welcome the progress made in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) since its adoption, in 2004. As we heard this morning, 182 countries have submitted initial reports on the implementation of the resolution, which is good news, but no reason for complacency. To guarantee the full and effective implementation of the resolution, it is of the utmost importance to provide assistance to States requiring such support. The process of matching requests for such assistance with offers from States or international, regional or subregional organizations remains absolutely vital and needs constant updating and refining. We particularly welcome the intensified cooperation of the Committee and the Group of Experts with the regional centres of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, as well as with such international organizations as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Customs Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency. We appreciate the support those entities can offer in the implementation process. We also welcome the speedy adoption of this year’s programme of work and support the goals of the Indonesian Chair for the upcoming 2021 comprehensive review, especially as regards building and strengthening partnerships. We look forward to working closely with the Committee and the Group of Experts to that end. I would like to make one last point, concerning the administrative status of the members of the Group of Experts. The work of the Group of Experts is obviously crucial to the success of the Committee’s work, and we are concerned about the financial difficulties that have been reported. We urge that the financial difficulties in paying the experts be solved as quickly as possible. Before I conclude, I would like to say a few more words on the Wiesbaden process, which was mentioned by the Chair in his briefing. Since 2012, Germany has been active in promoting intensified cooperation between States and industry through the biannual global Wiesbaden conferences. Those conferences have proved to be very fruitful in providing a platform for exchange among regulators, industry, international organizations and academia. Since 2016, those global conferences have been complemented by regional Wiesbaden conferences, which so far have taken place in South Korea, Mexico and India, usefully bringing in regional specificities. This year, we are planning to hold another regional conference, in southern Africa. The Wiesbaden process helps to raise awareness and promotes exchanges of information, effective practices and fosters private sector engagement, which is vital to successful non-proliferation in a globalized world. The concerns, feedback and concrete proposals of industry representatives, as well as supporting industry-industry cooperation, have proven very helpful in identifying measures to prevent non-State actors from obtaining or using weapons of mass destruction.

At the outset, let me join others in congratulating Ambassador Djani in his capacity as the new Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We welcome the fact that we have the coordinator of the Non-Aligned Movement Working Group on Disarmament leading the Committee, and I want to assure Ambassador Djani of my delegation’s support and cooperation. Likewise, we thank Ambassador Djani for his comprehensive briefing on the work of the Committee over the past three months. Indeed, resolution 1540 (2004) is still one of the most critical instruments in preventing non-State actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery. South Africa expresses grave concerns about the catastrophic consequences of the use or threat of use of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), particularly by non-State actors. South Africa reaffirms that no cause could ever justify the use of WMDs anywhere, by anyone or under any circumstances. In that context, since the dawn of our democracy in 1994, South Africa has remained steadfast in its commitment to multilateralism in addressing peace and security challenges facing the global community, including the horizontal and vertical proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery. South Africa wishes to reiterate its view that given the existential threats I have described, the only guarantee that WMDs will never be used by anyone is their total elimination. As regards the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), South Africa welcomes the significant progress made towards its effective implementation, and we renew our commitment to working with other members of the Council to address the challenges that remain, not least in terms of national implementation and assistance. Furthermore, in dealing with the challenges of WMDs, it is imperative that no unwarranted restrictions be imposed on the inalienable right of Member States, particularly developing countries, to use any related materials, equipment and technologies for peaceful purposes. In that context, the opportunities provided by nuclear technologies, for example, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in the areas of food security, public health technologies and clean energy, cannot be overlooked. South Africa has, over the years, strengthened its implementation capability through comprehensive national legislation focusing on WMDs and their means of delivery, which included the establishment of the Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the role of which is to coordinate the national implementation of our international WMD obligations and regulations and monitor compliance across all stakeholders. The Council has also played an invaluable role in assisting countries in our region and beyond in strengthening their national controls, legislation and capacities over sensitive items that may contribute to the development of WMDs. South Africa’s experience with the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) has demonstrated that the challenges of WMD proliferation can be overcome by strengthening national legislation and implementation capabilities, including export controls; strengthening international cooperation with other related international organizations and agencies; and strengthening cooperation with regional organizations, such as the African Union, as they play a critical role in the implementation and coordination of resolution 1540 (2004). Finally, financial and technical assistance is critically needed to ensure that developing countries are able to fully implement the resolution, especially on the continent, where greatest attention is still devoted to issues of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment. In conclusion, the challenges and threats posed by WMD proliferation and the possible use of them by non-State actors require the increased cooperation of the international community. Equally important is the strengthening and increased capacity of the relevant multilateral institutions and instruments. Non-proliferation is not an ultimate goal in itself, but only a means towards a world free of WMDs and their means of delivery. Selective and discriminatory practices will therefore not serve our collective interest in strengthening peace and security. What is needed is a balanced implementation of the various legally binding international instruments, including those covered by resolution 1540 (2004).

Belgium would like to begin by warmly thanking His Excellency Mr. Dian Djani, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), for his very comprehensive briefing. Belgium notes with satisfaction that substantial progress has been made in the global implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) since its adoption almost 15 years ago. We welcome the efforts of the Chair of the Committee to encourage the 11 remaining States to submit a national report. We also thank the Group of Experts of the 1540 Committee for contributing to drafting such reports, at the request of Member States. As the Chair indicated, the full implementation of the resolution is a long-term endeavour and a work in progress. The terrorist threat has not diminished. Terrorist groups and individuals adapting continuously new realities on the ground and seem to be persistently reinventing themselves. The end of Da’esh as a terrorist organization with a territorial base does not mean the end of the threat it poses. Indeed, Da’esh continues to indoctrinate individuals and groups around the world. In that context, the risk of terrorist groups acquiring weapons of mass destruction remains a major concern and we must not lower our guard. To address that threat, it is important to remind Member States of their responsibilities in the process. Member States should take all necessary measures to put in place national legislation and controls to prevent non-State actors from acquiring nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, or the equipment necessary for their production. With regard to guidance and assistance, as has already been mentioned, the 1540 Committee plays a key role in matching supply and demand and in providing support throughout the process. We therefore highlight the important role that can be played concurrently by international and regional organizations, civil society and industry in the comprehensive implementation of the relevant resolutions. We warmly welcome the engagement and increased cooperation of the 1540 chairmanship with such organizations so that they can provide recommendations and strengthen the capacities of States Members making such requests. I would also like to draw attention to the important support of international export control regimes in meeting the goals of resolution 1540 (2004). Belgium is a member of all such regimes and calls on non-member States either to join or to adhere unilaterally to their principles. While terrorists seem to be constantly adapting to new realities and able to exploit scientific and technological advances, as well as open borders and international trade, let us remain vigilant. Let us continue to pay particular attention to developments in all those areas and the resilience of terrorist organizations, and pursue our efforts to achieve the comprehensive implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). We extend to the Committee our full support and cooperation in that crucial area.

In accordance with the recommendation yesterday for all members of the Security Council to speak briefly (see S/PV.8486), I shall speak briefly in my national capacity. First, with regard to the process of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), almost 15 years since its adoption, there are still States that have yet to submit their final report. We therefore encourage non-reporting States to submit their initial report. Indonesia submitted its first report in October 2004 and updated it in November 2018. We also note the importance of providing assistance to some Member States in fully implementing resolution 1540 (2004). Indonesia will work with the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and its Group of Experts to identify areas in which we can provide assistance. Secondly, with regard to the Committee’s 2019 programme of work, we are pleased that it was adopted early last month, which demonstrated the support of the members of the Committee and their renewed vigour and energy. We thank them for that. We also welcome the identified activities, including those on the margins of the General Assembly, to achieve wider engagement on the part of Member States. We hope that those activities can be planned carefully and in a timely manner in order to be executed effectively and achieve their objectives. Thirdly, concerning the upcoming comprehensive review, it is due by April 2021. Although it will not coincide with Indonesia’s membership of the Council, its preparation is required starting now. Indonesia feels that the review is crucial to evaluating the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and serving as the basis of discussion for the renewal of the mandate of the 1540 Committee. We are ready to engage in the preparations for the comprehensive review. Let me conclude by recalling that it is always imperative for us all to differentiate between the existence of the 1540 regime and all existing treaties related to the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction. Both should work together in order to address the current challenges. Lastly, I would be remiss were I not to express Indonesia’s anticipation of closer collaboration and its appreciation to the wise Chairs of the Committee and Working Groups and members of the Committee, as well as the Group of Experts, for their excellent work thus far. We are looking forward to a productive year ahead.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I join others in commending Indonesia, through Ambassador Djani and his team, in leading the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). He can count on France’s support over the next two years within the important framework of preparing the comprehensive review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). The resolution is a pillar of the non-proliferation architecture that underpins our entire collective security system. Through its adoption in 2004, the Security Council made a priority of the threat of the proliferation and use of weapons of mass destruction, particularly by non-State actors. Fifteen years later, as 2018 unfortunately demonstrated, the non-proliferation regime continues to be put to the test. Other speakers have already described in detail the threats facing it, including the acknowledged risk of the use of chemical weapons by any actor and the persistence of the illegal nuclear and ballistic-missile programme in North Korea. France is particularly concerned about the new trend involving the proliferation of missiles, their components and associated technologies to non-State actors in the Middle East. Clearly, that poses a threat to regional security and beyond and must stop. The illicit transfer to non-State actors of missile production capabilities enabling the delivery of weapons of mass destruction is a matter of great concern. That is why the raison d’être of the 1540 Committee is more relevant now than ever. The 1540 Committee is the architect of the action taken by all States that contribute to the shared work of meaningfully combating proliferation. I join others in paying tribute to the Group of Experts that supports it and whose analytical and awareness-raising work remains essential. Accordingly, in order to contain proliferation, we must ramp up our efforts now more than ever. In that regard, I will focus on two main lines of action. First, at the national level, every one of our countries must strive to coordinate meaningful efforts to implement resolution 1540 (2004). We must ensure the security of sensitive material and equipment in our countries and strengthen export controls, in particular with regard to the risks involving the use of emerging technologies. I would also refer to the prevention and suppression of proliferation financing. France enjoys a solid and unique national legal framework in that regard. My country is also particularly involved in preventing the threat of terrorists acquiring sensitive nuclear and radioactive materials. We support the work of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Group of Seven Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, which we currently chair. Secondly, as we are more effective together, we must not focus our non-proliferation efforts in isolation. We must give priority to strengthening cooperation and assistance. France, which is coordinating the Working Group on Assistance, attaches particular importance to strengthening the regional dimension of ensuring alignment between the needs and the proposed assistance. The holding of regional seminars is a successful format upon which we must build. We welcome the work of the other actors mentioned, including the European Union, but we must also do more by focusing on dynamic and interactive exercises, such as tabletop exercises, so as to enable participants to learn concrete lessons and take them on board. Lastly, in order to be effective, we must also consider the scope of the challenges facing us by strengthening synergies with other forums facing the same issues outside the United Nations — such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the World Customs Organization and export control regimes — and the various internal agencies of which the United Nations is comprised, in particular the committees dealing with terrorism. At a time when the challenges to our security are constantly on the rise, we must remain fully mobilized to preserve and strengthen the non-proliferation regime. Resolution 1540 (2004), the focus of today’s meeting, makes a difference as it establishes both a legally binding framework and concrete follow-up framework to ensure the implementation of the obligations which are incumbent upon all. France will remain fully committed to fully supporting and contributing to the work of the 1540 Committee. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.