Placing resolution 1540 on Africa's agenda

‘When we started this project a little over a year ago, our aim was to put UN Security Council resolution 1540 firmly on the African agenda by increasing African engagement and taking advantage of the current momentum to better implement 1540 globally’.

This is how Noel Stott, senior research fellow at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), describes the work of the ISS’ project that assists African states to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their acquisition and use by non-state actors. The ISS is the first non-governmental organisation globally to start a project dedicated to strengthening the capacity of African states to implement resolution 1540.

From facilitating dialogue and providing policy advice at the first African Union (AU) 1540 focal point training workshop in November 2014, to hosting a meeting of former 1540 experts in May 2015, the project shows no signs of slowing down. It has produced a monograph with over 100 recommendations for the 2016 Comprehensive Review, which will propose adjustments to the 1540 Committee’s mandate and operations to the United Nations (UN) Security Council. In September, the ISS, in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Secretariat and the AU, played a key role in identifying priority areas for IGAD states to enhance implementation of resolution 1540 in the region.

‘We are adjusting perceptions and showing that Africa can take the lead globally in implementing resolution 1540’, says Nicolas Kasprzyk, ISS consultant and former 1540 expert. ‘As an African non-governmental organisation, ISS provides capacity building and policy advice at the highest international level’.

In September 2015, the ISS was the only non-governmental organisation invited to participate in the preparatory meeting for the 2016 AU assistance conference on resolution 1540. This meeting considered the pros and cons of the planned assistance conference and gave stakeholders the chance to shape the agenda for the 2016 conference.

In October, the ISS was asked to brief delegates of the 1540 Committee in New York. The committee is one of the three UN Security Council subsidiary bodies dealing with terrorism. The ISS also co-hosted an event on rethinking resolution 1540 with the Stimson Center and the Washington Foreign Law Society.

Key contributions that the ISS will make in the near future include establishing a resolution 1540 civil society network in Africa, mapping African expertise in this field to build African and global capacity, updating the ISS’ resolution 1540 implementation guide for African states and considering border and export controls and domestic legislation activities.

In 2016, the project will continue its efforts to prevent non-state actors from acquiring or using weapons of mass destruction by supporting African states, the AU and regional organisations, as well as the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and other partners.

For more information, contact:

Nicolas Kasprzyk, ISS: +27 81 794 4947, nkasprzyk@issafrica.org

Press Release: Preventing criminals from acquiring WMDs is a priority for Africa

Pretoria, South Africa – Contrary to some perceptions, Africa is leading the way in preventing criminals, extremists and non-state actors from acquiring the material used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

This is due, to a large extent, to the leading role played by the African Union (AU) on the issue over the past four years.

Africa’s progress on ensuring the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction was debated at a roundtable discussion today hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

The event asked whether African states are implementing UN Security Council resolution 1540 effectively, and what challenges remain.

Resolution 1540, which was adopted 11 years ago, calls on states to prevent criminals, militant groups and other non-state actors from acquiring or using weapons of mass destruction. This is a major security and developmental issue for African states, given the dramatic consequences if such weapons were ever to be used.

‘Too often, Africa is presented as a continent which lags behind in implementing resolution 1540 and in undertaking necessary measures to prevent non-state actors from getting access to weapons of mass destruction. This is simply not true’, said Raphael Prenat, keynote speaker at the meeting and a member of the Group of Experts that supports the work of the 1540 Committee. ‘A lot has been achieved and, in some aspects, Africa can even be seen as a champion’.

Much of this success can be attributed to the AU, which works in synergy with other African stakeholders.

The AU is playing a leading role in efforts to implement resolution 1540 in Africa

‘The AU is one of the unsung heroes,’ said Nicolas Kasprzyk, ISS consultant and former 1540 Committee expert, commenting on the leading role played by the AU in fostering efforts to implement resolution 1540 on the continent. ‘It facilitates dialogue and cooperation among African partners, such as the regional economic communities and the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, with tangible success on 1540-related matters’.

The AU was one of the first international organisations to designate a focal point for resolution 1540 in 2011. In January 2013, the AU requested its Commission to take all necessary steps to implement the proposals and recommendations made at a workshop hosted by the South African government in collaboration with the AU in November 2012 on African states’ implementation of resolution 1540.

Since then, the AU has steadily raised its profile on 1540-related matters, encouraging national and sub-regional efforts, and providing training to national focal points. The AU also plans to host an assistance conference in early 2016 to facilitate the delivery of support to African states. The event was part of a project launched by the ISS in 2014 to help African states implement resolution 1540.

‘African states and African organisations are making visible efforts to build their non-proliferation capacity’, says Noel Stott, senior research fellow at the ISS. ‘We all share a collective responsibility to ensure that those efforts bring fruitful results, and that the continent does not become a theatre to the use of the deadliest of weapons – a situation that would severely exacerbate Africa’s developmental challenges’.

Read more on Twitter: @issafrica #UNSCR1540
Media enquiries: Nicolas Kasprzyk, nkasprzyk@issafrica.org ,+27 81 794 4947

ISS informs the 2016 review of UNSC resolution 1540

On 28 and 29 May 2015, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the 1540 Committee Group of Experts, hosted a first-of-its-kind meeting on United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution 1540, to review progress made since its adoption 11 years ago, and discuss how to accelerate its implementation.

UNSC resolution 1540 obliges states to keep nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their delivery systems away from criminals, militant groups and other non-state actors.

‘ISS is regarded as a key African partner in supporting implementation of resolution 1540,’ says Nicolas Kasprzyk, ISS consultant and former 1540 expert. ‘By hosting this meeting, the ISS has helped the 1540 Committee make its first substantive contribution to the 1540 comprehensive review process, which must be completed before December 2016.’

The ISS has been actively supporting African states with implementing resolution 1540 for a number of years. It recently launched a dedicated project to enhance cooperation with African governments, international organisations and other partners in this area.

The meeting brought together 12 of the 18 former members of the 1540 Committee Group of Experts, three current experts, a senior UN official, and representatives of the Republic of Korea, which chaired the 1540 Committee from 2013 – 2014.

The experts assessed the current status of resolution 1540, shared lessons from practical experience, and recommended concrete steps to help member states put the resolution into practice.

The papers presented by the former experts will be published by the ISS to encourage rigorous implementation, and inform the 2016 comprehensive review.

For more information, contact:
Nicolas Kasprzyk, ISS Pretoria: +27 81 794 4947, nkasprzyk@issafrica.org

PRESS RELEASE: Top minds meet on how to curb WMDs

Cape Town, South Africa – A first-of-its-kind meeting being held on 28 and 29 May 2015 addresses one of the most pertinent questions of our time: what are states doing to stop the world’s most dangerous weapons from falling into the wrong hands?

Eleven years ago, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 1540, which calls on states to prevent criminals, militant groups and other non-state actors from acquiring or using weapons of mass destruction. What progress has been made since then, and what does the future of implementing resolution 1540 look like? These and other critical topics will come under the spotlight at the meeting, organised by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the 1540 Committee Group of Experts.

The meeting will see 13 out of 18 former members of the expert group participating in nine panel discussions. Between them, the former experts attending the meeting are from 10 different countries and bring substantial professional expertise and experience in nuclear, chemical and biological weapons to the discussions.

‘The experts are the backbone of the 1540 Committee,’ says Noel Stott, a senior research fellow at the ISS. ‘Their know-how is critical in implementing resolution 1540; particularly on the African continent, faced with so many capacity challenges.’

UNSC resolution 1977 (2011) invites the 1540 Committee to ‘utilise and maintain expertise … in particular, of former experts of the group.’ The meeting provides a platform to make this possible. In addition to taking stock of the non-proliferation landscape and allowing for views and experiences to be shared, the meeting will also forge the foundation for a future network of former experts.
Three of the current experts are also attending the meeting, along with a senior UNODA official and representatives from the Republic of Korea.

Terence Taylor, coordinator of the 1540 Committee’s current Group of Experts, says: ‘This event is in effect the first substantive contribution to the Comprehensive Review of implementation that the 1540 Committee is required to undertake and complete before December 2016. The event was made possible by the excellent organisational efforts of the ISS.’

The event is part of the project launched by the ISS last year to facilitate the implementation of resolution 1540 by African states. ‘It is heartening that so many former experts are giving their time to participate and make contributions during the discussions,’ said Taylor.

Key recommendations identified in the meeting will be submitted to the 1540 Committee ahead of next year’s comprehensive review.

[ends]

Click here for the agenda.

Read more on Twitter: @issafrica #UNSCR1540
Media enquiries: Nicolas Kasprzyk, nkasprzyk@issafrica.org ,+27 81 794 4947

United Nations press release

Weapons of mass destruction: the time to act is now

The African continent has made significant efforts to strengthen the capacity of states in better preventing and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery; in particular to non-state actors, such as terrorists.

Various activities, such as training, consultations, sensitisation and awareness campaigns have been converging towards the same objective: ensuring that states undertake all necessary steps to prevent nuclear, chemical or biological weapons (or the materials needed to produce them) from being acquired, trafficked or used.

New project launched to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has launched a project aimed at strengthening the capacity of African states to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery to non-state actors, such as criminals and groups involved in acts of terror.

The project will facilitate the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) on the African continent. Resolution 1540 is a key legally binding non-proliferation and counter-terrorism resolution, requiring states to: refrain from providing support to non-state actors involved in the spread of weapons of mass destruction; adopt effective laws to criminalise proliferation activities; and establish controls over equipment, materials and technology that could be diverted for proliferation purposes.

ISS Today: Making progress: implementing UNSCR 1540 in Africa

Ten years ago, on 28 April 2004, the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted resolution 1540, requiring governments to prevent armed, non-state actors from acquiring, proliferating and using nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

Commenting on the anniversary of the resolution, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed to states and other key actors to ‘intensify their efforts to stop the proliferation of these devastating weapons.’ Ban also said that the use of poison gas in Syria was ‘an alarming reminder of the continuing threat of weapons of mass destruction.’

UNSCR 1540 8-10 January 2013 Event: Civil Society Forum - Opportunities for Engagement

1540 CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM STEERING COMMITTEE

The first-ever Civil Society Forum in support of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) tookplace in Vienna from 8-10 January 2013. It was convened to provide civil society representatives with the opportunity to discuss their increased contributions to national and international efforts to fully implement the key requirements of resolution 1540 (2004) which concerns the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-state actors.

The Civil Society Forum in Vienna involved the participation of more than sixty non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, think tanks and industries and includes representatives from Asia, Africa, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. The Forum was hosted by the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, convened in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and organized by the Steering Committee of the Forum.

Meeting Documents

 

Agenda 

List of Participants

Press Release

Information Note

Aide Memoir

Vienna Hotel Information 

Services in the VIC and Additional Information

Forum Banner

Video Message by High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Angela Kane to Participants of the Civil Society Forum in Support of Resolution 1540 (2004)

Stanley Foundation Reception Invitation 

1540 Forum Group Photo 

Abstracts and Presentations 

 

Day 1 (January 8th)

Opening Remarks, Ambassador Alexander Kmentt, Director, Disarmament and Arms Control Division Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs

Opening Remarks, Ms. Elena Sokova, VCDNP, on behalf of the Steering Committee

Resolutions 1540 (2004) and 1977 (2011): Objectives, Mandate, Status of Implementation, and Challenges, Dr. Dana Perkins, 1540 Committee Expert

Resolution 1540 (2004) and Civil Society, Dr. Dana Perkins

Statement by Mr. Nikita Smidovich, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs

Meeting the Objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1540: The Role of Civil Society, Mr. Brian Finlay, Stimson

Transcript of speech delivered by Mr. Wissam Hassan Fattouh, Secretary General, Union of Arab Banks

The Role of Civil Society in Organising the Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States, Mr. Noel Stott, Institute for Security Studies

Civil Society-A Key to UNSCR 1540 Success, Ms. Irma Arguello, Nonproliferation for Global Security Foundation

The Role of Civil Society in Raising Awareness, Ms. Elisande Nexon, Pharm D., Research Fellow, Foundation for Strategic Research

Side Event, Ethics and Nonproliferation, Mr. Johannes Rath, University of Vienna, Austria (Abstract)

Side Event, Ethics and Nonproliferation, Mr. Rath (Presentation)

Nuclear Security Process and the Role of Civil Society, Mr. Kees Nederlof, Security Policy Department, Non-Proliferation, Disarmament, Arms Control and Export Control Policy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands

Day 2 (January 9th)

VERTIC's CBRN-UNSCR 1540 Legislative Assistance, Mr. Scott Spence, Senior Legal Officer

Achieving Sustainable Implementation: Integrated Training, Education, and Best Practices, Dr. Igor Khripunov, Center for International Trade & Security, University of Georgia

Multilateralism, the EU, and UNSCR 1540: Reinforcing National Responsibilities, EU Institute for Security Studies Policy Brief (Supplementary document for Dr. Khripunov's presentation)

Civil Society and Implementation of UNSCR 1540, Mr. Tim Trevan, International Council for the Life Sciences

Facilitation of Nonproliferation & Demilitarization: Green Cross and Civil Society, Mr. Paul F. Walker, Ph.D., Green Cross International

Africa Peace Forum Presentation UNSCR 1540, Ambassador Ochieng Adala, Acting Executive Director of Africa Peace Forum

Enhancing the Implementation of UNSCR 1540, Ms. Masamichi Minehata, Bradford Disarmament Research Centre

Monitoring Trade in WMD Relevant Items by Using Open Source Data, Mr. Gunnar Jeremias, Research Group for Biological Arms Control

Day 3 (January 10th)

International and Regional Organizations: Partnership with Civil Society, Mr. Tim Andrews, Head of the Programme Support Group, Office of Nuclear Security, Department of Safety and Security

Opportunities for Engagement, Mr. Nico Frandi, Policy Officer, EEAS

CARICOM UNSCR 1540 Implementation Programme, Mr. O'Neil Hamilton, Regional Coordinator for the Implementation of UNSCR 1540 in the Caribbean Community

Partnerships, Ms. Maria Lorenzo Sobrado, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Closing Remarks, Dr. Dana Perkins, 1540 Committee Expert

Summary Statement, Goals of the Vienna Civil Society Forum, Ms. Elena Sokova, VCDNP

Closing Remarks, Ambassador Alexander Kmentt, Director, Disarmament and Arms Control Division Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs

Chair's Summary Report on the Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States

From 21 - 22 November, a Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States, hosted by the Government of South Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU), supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and with the facilitation of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) took place in Pretoria, South Africa.

Below is the Chair's Summary Report:

Chair’s Summary Report on the Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States

 

All other workshop-related documents can be downloaded HERE.

Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States

A workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States was held from 21-22 November 2012, at the Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, South Africa. The workshop was hosted by the Government of South Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU), supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and with the facilitation of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

All documents related to the workshop can be found here: 1540 Workshop Documents

Issue 1: 1540 Compass Journal

Welcome to the 1540 Compass

The 1540 Compass is a journal of views, comments, and ideas for effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 to prevent WMD proliferation and terrorism by non-state actors. Published by the Center for International Trade & Security at the University of Georgia, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

In this issue:

Title page
Editor's Note
Notes of Welcome
Strategy for the committee
Reflecting on UNSCR 1977
1540 in Africa
1540 in CARICOM states
2012 Nuclear Security Summit
OPCW
OSCE
CSOs and NGOs
Industry Perspective
Strategic Trade Controls

Challenges and Solutions for 1540 Implementation in the African Region

- Amelia Broodryk and Noël Stott

INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

UN Security Council resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540) was adopted in April 2004 to strengthen the international nonproliferation architecture and to address the possibility of non-state actors’ accessing weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their components, or their delivery systems. Although UNSCR 1540 initially met with some resistance from the developing world, many African states have subsequently expressed their support for the resolution. Enacted in April 2011, UNSCR 1977 extended UNSCR 1540’s mandate for ten years—signaling the resolution’s continued relevance in combating WMD-related security threats.

Although states have made significant progress toward implementing UNSCR 1540, the resolution’s ambitious requirements continue to challenge some states, especially those in Africa. Unofficial estimates indicate that the resolution contains 113 specific prohibitions, 152 controlled activities, and at least 8 recommended activities. States often find themselves overwhelmed by these obligations and, in light of the expected expansion of nuclear power and nuclear-related technology, meeting these obligations will only become more demanding in the future.

We consider the relevance of UNSCR 1540 for Africa by briefly discussing implementation of the resolution on the continent and highlighting the needs of some African countries for collaboration and assistance as they attempt to comply with its provisions. We also consider the role that regional and subregional bodies can play in implementing UNSCR 1540 on the continent and offer some recommendations for stakeholders working in the fields of WMD disarmament and nonproliferation.

For a full HTML version of the article, click HERE
To download a PDF version of the article, click HERE

To download the entire issue, click HERE