United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004)
On 28 April 2004, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540 (2004) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, obliging States, inter alia, to refrain from supporting by any means non-State actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems.
Resolution 1540 (2004) imposes binding obligations on all States to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their means of delivery, including by establishing appropriate controls over related materials. It also encourages enhanced international cooperation on such efforts, in accord with and promoting universal adherence to existing international non proliferation treaties. The 1540 Committee released its report to the United Nations Security Council on implementation of the Resolution in April 2006.
On 27 April 2006, the Security Council extended the mandate of the 1540 Committee for a further two years with the adoption of Resolution 1673 (2006), which reiterated the objectives of Resolution 1540 (2004), expressed the interest of the Security Council in intensifying its efforts to promote full implementation of the resolution, and obliged the 1540 Committee to report again by April 2008.
On 25 April 2008, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1810 (2008), which extended the mandate of the 1540 Committee for a period of three years, with the continued assistance of experts, until 25 April 2011. Reaffirming the objectives of Resolution 1540 (2004) and Resolution 1673 (2006), the Security Council urged the 1540 Committee to continue strengthening its role in facilitating technical assistance, including by engaging actively in matching offers and requests for assistance, therefore confirming its clearinghouse function. Through Resolution 1810 (2008), the Security Council also requested the 1540 Committee to consider a comprehensive review of the status of implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004). The 1540 Committee decided to hold an open meeting with broad participation which will form part of this comprehensive review. The open meeting will take place at UN headquarters from 30 September to 2 October 2009.
The 1540 Committee released its first report to the United Nations Security Council on implementation of the Resolution in April 2006. The second one was presented in July 2008. A third report is expected by 24 April 2011, as requested in Resolution 1810 (2008).