UN Security Council Resolution 1540
1540 - General Background:
In April 2004, the UN Security Council adopted UN Security Council Resolution 1540, establishing for the first time binding obligations on all UN member states under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to take and enforce effective measures against the proliferation of WMD, their means of delivery and related materials. UNSCR 1540, if fully implemented, can help ensure that no State or non-State actor is a source or beneficiary of WMD proliferation. All states have three primary obligations under UNSCR 1540 relating to such items: to prohibit support to non-State actors seeking such items; to adopt and enforce effective laws prohibiting the proliferation of such items to non-State actors, and prohibiting assisting or financing such proliferation; and to take and enforce effective measures to control these items, in order to prevent their proliferation, as well as to control the provision of funds and services that contribute to proliferation. If implemented successfully, each state's actions will significantly strengthen the international standards relating to the export of sensitive items and support for proliferators (including financing) and ensure that non-state actors, including terrorist and black-market networks, do not gain access to chemical, nuclear or biological weapons, their means of delivery or related materials.
Latest Update:
The United States believes that the 1540 Committee’s report shows that the Committee has an important role to play in promoting states’ implementation of the resolution. To that end, the United States fully supports the recommendations for the 1540 Committee’s future work contained in the Committee’s report. The 1540 Committee should work with states as an effective clearinghouse (using the information it has collected from states) and then set about the work of building capacity. By working in an open and transparent way, the Committee can assist states in meeting their 1540 obligations and ensure that existing assistance programs have the most widespread availability for states to access. Please see the latest fact sheet and brochure.
1540 Committee Reports
The completion of the two reports is an important achievement in our global efforts to prevent WMD proliferation and our work to keep these deadly weapons out of the hands of terrorists. WMD in the hands of a terrorist is the preeminent threat we face. We know that terrorists would have no doubts about using such weapons were they to obtain them. We know that terrorist groups continue to seek these deadly weapons. UNSCR 1540, if fully implemented, will help ensure that no state or non-state actor is a source or beneficiary of WMD proliferation.
Overview of United States National Action Plan for Implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004)
The United States completed its National Action Plan on May 31, 2006, and has relied since then on the Plan as a working document. We recognize that each country will tailor its action plan to reflect its own national priorities. Our initial approach focuses on ways to strengthen States' nonproliferation capacities through on-going assistance programs and projects, particularly by working with regional organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the Organization of American States (OAS), consistent with the 1540 Committee's April 2006 report (S/2006/257). The overview was submitted to the UNSCR 1540 Commitee.
For further information contact the U.S. 1540 Coordinator, Thomas Wuchte, at USG1540@state.gov.
President Obama and President Medvedev Issue Joint Statement on UNSCR 1540
From Joint Statement: To strengthen non-proliferation efforts, we also declare out intent to give new impetus to implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 on preventing non-state actors from obtaining WMD-related materials and technologies. [More]
1540 Committee Program of Work
Of particular note are the detailed suggestions the 1540 Committee has endorsed for work with organizations, the Committee's intent to conduct a Comprehensive Review of 1540 implementation later this year, and the establishment of 4 working groups to address 1) monitoring implementation, 2) provisions of assistance, 3) working with intergovernmental organizations, and 4) public diplomacy to include industry. [More]
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Supported in Its Request for Technical Assistance
The United States encourages countries and political entities such as CARICOM to develop and submit UNSCR 1540 assistance requests and is committed to working positively to requests that are deemed worthwhile and cost effective. Therefore, the United States has determined that it will respond affirmatively to two components of CARICOM's request and will supplement Canada's effort on the third component. [More]
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