Disarmament in Review
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany supported the Government of Kazakhstan’s delivery of the ‘UNSCR 1540(2004) Regional Industry Outreach Conference for Central Asia and Neighbouring States (Wiesbaden Process)’ from 31 July to 1 August 2024 in Astana.
United Nations Security resolution 1540(2004) calls on States to “develop appropriate ways to work with and inform industry […]”, while UNSCR 2325(2016), a follow-up to resolution 1540(2004), explicitly acknowledges “the positive role performed by […] industry […] in the effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).
Over 30 participants representing governments, intergovernmental organisations, regulators and industry from seven States attended, including Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as four international and regional organizations, namely Germany’s Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Controls (BAFA), UNODA, the United Sates Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Programme, and the Organization for Security and Economic Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Both government and industry representatives engaged in dialogue on export controls and non- proliferation with a view to reinforcing the universal implementation of UNSCR 1540.
In addition to States from the region sharing their reflections on the role of industry in preventing WMD proliferation within the context of UNSCR 1540, frank discussions were held between regulators and industry on trends and new developments in the region in the area of strategic trade controls, including on new challenges, such as intangible technology transfers and emerging technologies. Industry also had an opportunity to share its perspective and expectations on effective licensing procedures, as well as on what it requires from governments to facilitate implementation of UNSCR 1540.
This was the second event in which UNODA worked with Germany to implement the Wiesbaden Process at the regional level in the Asia Pacific. The first – for Southeast Asian States – took place in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2023. The rationale behind a “regionalised” approach is to help account for regional differences in strategic trade management and private sector regulatory practices.
For more information on this Regional Conference, you are invited to contact: Ms. Amanda Cowl, UNODA 1540 Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, at amanda.cowl@un.org
