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Security Council – Briefing by the Chair of the 1540 Committee

Statement delivered by Ambassador Inigo Lambertini, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, at the Security Council meeting on the “Briefing by the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant resolution 1540 (2004)” —

Thank you Mr. President,

Let me at the outset convey my appreciation to the work done by Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorentty Soliz, as Chair of 1540 Committee and to commend him for his comprehensive presentation today. I also take the opportunity to pay tribute to the work done by his predecessor, Ambassador Oyarzun Marchesi of Spain, who successfully concluded the second comprehensive review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 remains a crucial instrument in the efforts to combat proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery, as well as their potential acquisition by non-State actors. Let me stress once more that we welcome the UN Security Council Resolution 2325/2016 and in particular its call for greater capacity building assistance and for more intense cooperation among all stakeholders, including civil society and academia.

Last February 10 we adopted our program of work. It is time now to achieve meaningful results through a proactive implementation of resolution 2325.

The increasing risk that non-State actors, particularly terrorists, could acquire chemical, biological, radiological or fissile materials represents a new critical dimension. Terrorist groups and non-State actors have indeed demonstrated the intent and capability to develop and access these harmful tools. As the reports by the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism/JIM clearly demonstrate, this has already been the case in Syria, where use of chemical weapons was attributed to ISIL/DAESH in one case, while use of toxic chemicals as weapons was attributed to the Syrian Armed Forces in three cases.

Rapid advances in science, technology and international commerce create not only huge benefits for mankind, but also the potential for misuse. We are concerned that the abuse of emerging scientific innovations could facilitate illicit proliferation activities, particularly through the illegal transfer of sensitive technology and illicit financial transactions.

Reinforced international co-operation to tackle the phenomenon is crucial. We stress the importance of the 1540 Committee in the discharge of its mandate for capacity-building assistance and encouragement to all States to work towards the full implementation of UNSCR 1540. It is essential that the political will to comply with international obligations be combined for every State with the actual ability to do it. Technical assistance is essential to this end.

As Chair of the Global Partnership against the spread of weapons of mass destruction we invited the 1540 Committee to present its activities, in particular with regard to Africa, in order to highlight current needs and increase the opportunities for donors’ co-operation with potential recipients, as well as with the Committee itself.

Considering tools currently available in countering proliferation of WMD, we think that particular attention should be paid to the field of biological weapons. Similarly, an enhanced protection of critical infrastructure relevant to the non-proliferation of WMDs from the increasing risk of cyberattacks is today much needed.

Full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) is a long-term task that requires continuous efforts at national, regional and international levels, sustained and intensified support from the Security Council and direct interaction with States and relevant organizations. Closer cooperation, especially at regional level, between all stakeholders is needed to coordinate activities so as to avoid duplications and to focus on the most important areas.

We are deeply concerned by proliferation activities by the DPRK as clearly highlighted in the last report by the Panel of Experts. This adds to the inherent threats to international peace and security as well as to the direct challenge to the non-proliferation regime posed by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic programmes.

Reporting on compliance is crucial. From this point of view resolution 2321 notes the complementarity of its obligations with those of resolution 1540. In adopting resolution 2325, the Security Council called on all States to strengthen national counter-proliferation regimes in implementation of resolution 1540 and to submit timely reports on their efforts. Accurate and timely reporting is crucial for long term results: capacity building aimed at improving reporting is essential.

I thank you.