Disarmament in Review
The United Nations Common House in Lima, Peru, was the site of a regional event to discuss preventing and combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to non-State actors from a Latin American and Caribbean perspective from 25 to 26 April 2017. Twenty-two States from the region and six partner organizations[1] joined in this open debate organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Organization of American States (OAS) through the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE)
Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Global Partnership Program (GPP) of the Government of Canada, International Maritime Organization (IMO), Stimson Centre, World Customs Organization (WCO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Organization of American States (OAS) through the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE).
The main theme of the event was the effective implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (2004) on preventing the proliferation of WMDs to non-State actors. Resolution 1540 (2004) calls on States to refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, posses, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.
State representatives were provided with a platform to share successful experiences and exchange essential information on 1540 implementation. The dialogue delved into key elements outlined in UNSCR 1540 (2004), such as the need to enhance border and export controls and bolster normative frameworks to better protect States against proliferation offences. By enforcing these practical measures to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery, States will be in compliance with key provisions of the resolution and thus boost UNSCR 1540 (2004) implementation from national and regional perspectives.
Making the most of the ‘regional’ scope of this event, UNLIREC and OAS/CICTE led a dialogue on establishing common ‘regional’ positions on, for instance, strategic trade legislation (STL) to control the export of sensitive technology and materials in order to combat terrorism and the proliferation of WMDs. The regional platform was also used to launch a UNLIREC-developed Control List. This List encompasses all of the items from the main strategic trade control regimes but can also be modified to meet the specific needs or interests of any implementing State. For example, a State may wish to tailor the List to reflect its own domestic industries or particular trade patterns.
The event was financed by the Government of Canada and forms part of a wider UNLIREC programme aimed at supporting the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) by States in the region. It is also part of an OAS/CICTE 1540 programme. UNLIREC and OAS/CICTE are long-standing partners committed to supporting States and providing them with the tools and capacity they need to address pressing peace and security-related challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean.
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[1] Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Global Partnership Program (GPP) of the Government of Canada, International Maritime Organization (IMO), Stimson Centre, World Customs Organization (WCO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
