Myanmar Hosts National Round Table on Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) in Nay Pyi Taw, 19-20 January

NEW YORK, 20 January (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — The Government of Myanmar, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), hosted its first National Round Table on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on 19-20 January.

Held in Nay Pyi Taw, the event was supported by voluntary contributions provided by the European Union and the Government of the United States.  It was attended by high-level representatives of the Myanmar Government, including from the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Judge Advocate General, as well as the Ministries of Commerce, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Health, Home Affairs, Immigration and Population, Industry and Science and Technology.

The national event focused on Myanmar’s effective practices in implementing resolution 1540 (2004) to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors.  Government representatives discussed and assessed — with 1540 Committee experts and staff of UNODA and the European Union-funded Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre of Excellence — the national implementation status of the resolution, as well as possible assistance needs for further strengthening of its implementation.

When the Government of Myanmar submitted its first national report on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) to the Security Council’s 1540 Committee on 6 April 2005, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed its readiness to start the process of drafting and submitting an updated national report.

Background

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1540 on 28 April 2004, obliging all States to refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors attempting to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.  Under the resolution, all States are to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery, including by establishing appropriate controls over related materials.  Resolution 1540 (2004) established a subsidiary Committee of the Council to report on implementation of its provisions.

Resolution 1540 (2004) calls upon States to present a first report to the Committee, no later than six months after the text’s adoption, on implementation steps they have taken or intend to take.

For further information, please contact Nils Schmieder at tel.:  +1 917 367 2308.