Un Security Council Resolution 1540

Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540: On January 31, 2013, Ambassador Jenkins addressed the 24th UN Conference on Disarmament. Her remarks are available in full at (Secretary of State website) state.gov/t/isn/rls/rm/2013/203779.htm. Excerpts below relate to UN Security Council Resolution 1540. Other excerpts from Ambassador Jenkins' remarks appear in sections B.4 and C. in this world legal Encyclopedia.

Some Aspects of Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540

The prevention of nuclear terrorism in Asia and globally cannot be effectively achieved without the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540. The resolution, unanimously adopted by the Security Council, identified the threat posed by the nexus of terrorists and proliferation of nuclear, chemical, biological weapons, their means of delivery and related materials. It creates legally binding obligations on all States to not provide any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear weapons or their means of delivery. It also obliges all States to take appropriate measures to ensure the security of production, use, storage, and transport of nuclear weapons related materials, among other requirements, as a means to deny access to these items by nonstate actors and reduce our vulnerability to nuclear terrorism. UNSCR 1540 provides a clear roadmap for States in regard to developing and implementing protective measures, establishing border, export, and financial controls, and the use of effective laws and regulations to achieve the goal of reducing and eliminating the threat of nuclear terrorism, and is an indispensable component of the formula to ensure international peace and security.

Developments

Within the Asia-Pacific region, the United States believes that regional cooperation is a highly effective strategy to pursue 1540 implementation, and can be utilized to develop strong practices to prevent nuclear terrorism throughout the entire region. The United States supports efforts by the ASEAN Regional Forum and other regional and sub-regional organizations in the Asia-Pacific region in their efforts to promote full implementation of UNSCR 1540. Such organizations can provide leadership in education and awareness, develop effective practices, engage in capacity-building, and serve as an information clearinghouse for the countries in the region seeking guidance on 1540 implementation and ways to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism. The United States stands ready to work cooperatively with other nations, regional and intergovernmental organizations, industry, and civil society in the Asia-Pacific region to reach the goal of universal implementation of this critically important resolution as part of our effort to eliminate the threat of nuclear terrorism.

Un Security Council Resolution 1540 in 2016

In 2016, the United States was actively engaged in strengthening implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (2004) through partnerships with other United Nations member states and international and regional organizations. The United States also continued to strongly support the 1540 Committee, which has become a part of the international framework to control proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and their means of delivery to non-state actors. In support of the second comprehensive review of the implementation of the resolution, the United States submitted 25 proposals to the 1540 Committee – by far the most of any contributor. The majority of the U.S. proposals were included in the final report of the second comprehensive review, which was endorsed in UNSCR 2325 (2016). The report and the new resolution will add to the urgency, relevance, and effective implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004).

Resources

Notes

1. Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law