The role of the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) in support of the Committee established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1540 (2004)
ODA provides substantive support to the 1540 Committee and its experts. In resolution 1540 (2004) the Security Council decided that all States shall refrain from providing any form of support to non-state actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery, and requires all States to adopt and enforce appropriate effective laws to this effect. The resolution also requires states to establish various types of domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of such weapons.
In April 2006, the Security Council, by its resolution 1673 (2006) extended the mandate of the 1540 Committee for two years. The Committee decided to intensify its efforts to promote the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) specifically through a Programme of Work which includes the compilation of information on the status of States’ implementation of all aspects of resolution 1540 (2004), outreach, dialogue, assistance and cooperation. The work already carried out by the 1540 Committee since 2004 was endorsed by the Security Council in its resolution 1810 (2008) adopted on 25 April 2008. Resolution 1810 (2008) further extended the mandate of the Committee for three years, until 25 April 2011.
In this connection, ODA maintains the 1540 Committee's website and supports the work of the Committee and its experts, particularly in the area of outreach, dialogue and cooperation. With the objective of promoting the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), ODA has supported the outreach activities of the 1540 Committee by fund-raising and organizing regional and sub-regional seminars and workshops. The first phase of these regional and sub-regional seminars and workshops took place during 2005 – 2007 and focused on raising awareness of the requirements of the resolution, enhancing cooperation and collaboration among participating States and sharing experiences and lessons learned.
ODA is planning further activities for 2008-2009 which will increasingly focus on national capacity building, particularly in the area of border and export controls.
