DYB2011-Part-II-web

Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of
delivery. In implementing the resolution, all States were to establish domestic
controls to prevent the proliferation of these weapons of mass destruction and
their means of delivery, including by establishing appropriate controls over
related materials. The Security Council also established a Committee as its
subsidiary body to examine the implementation of the resolution (the 1540
Committee).
On 20 April, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution
1977 (2011) (see appendix VII for the text). The resolution noted that the full
implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by all States, including the adoption
of national laws and measures to ensure implementation of these laws, was
a long-term task that would require continuous efforts at national, regional
and international levels. The resolution extended the 1540 Committee’s
mandate until 25 April 2021. Also, to monitor the status of implementation of
resolution 1540 (2004), the Security Council decided that the 1540 Committee
would conduct comprehensive reviews after five years and prior to the renewal
of its mandate. It also decided that the 1540 Committee should continue to
intensify its efforts to promote full implementation of the resolution through
its Programme of Work.
On 17 June, the 1540 Committee approved its tenth Programme of Work
for the period ending 31 May 2012. The Programme of Work includes detailed
objectives and tasks for the four Working Groups of the 1540 Committee
(i.e., monitoring and national implementation; assistance; cooperation with
international organizations, including the Security Council Committees
established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1373 (2001); and
transparency and media outreach), as well as procedures on how the 1540
Committee and the Working Groups will operate.
On 12 September, the 1540 Committee submitted to the Security Council
its third report83 on compliance with resolution 1540 (2004) covering the
period from 25 April 2008 to 24 April 2011. The report concluded that the
Committee had facilitated and documented an upward trend in the progress
made by States in implementing measures to prevent non-State actors from
acquiring nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of
delivery. The work of the Committee had contributed to strengthened global
non-proliferation and counter-terrorism regimes and to better preparing States
to prevent proliferation of such weapons to non-State actors. The report also
stated that “while the status of implementation of the resolution has continued
to improve since 2004, the Committee recognizes that much work remains to
be done and that the gravity of the threat remains considerable”.
83 S/2011/579.
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