Disarmament in Review
From 12 to 13 June, the Government of Ecuador, in partnership with the Organization of American States Inter American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE/ OAS) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), hosted a workshop to strengthen the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 in Quito, Ecuador. The event brought together over 55 representatives and senior officials from ministries and agencies of Ecuador, partner states, and international and regional organizations to develop Ecuador’s first voluntary National Implementation Action Plan.
High-level officials convene for a photograph following the inaugural session of the workshop
Workshop participants pose for a group photograph
Adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council in April 2004, UNSCR 1540 places obligations on States to prevent non-state actors from attempting to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons and their means of delivery. Subsequent resolutions encourage Member States, on a voluntary basis, to prepare a National Implementation Action Plan to map out their priorities and plans to implement the resolution.
Over two days, participants underlined the importance of cooperation among national authorities and relevant stakeholders for the full and effective implementation of UNSCR 1540. On the first day, participantsdeepened their understanding of Ecuador’s existing measures related to UNSCR 1540 and national authorities presented their respective policies and mandates on nuclear, chemical, and biological safety and security.
Opening remarks are delivered by high-level officials at the beginning of the workshop
A highlight of the workshop was a group exercise conducted on the second day designed to develop a voluntary National Implementation Action Plan. Based on guiding questions, participants were divided into multiple groups, and discussed their priorities and timelines to be included in the plan and identified steps to draft and finalize it. To conclude the workshop, a variety of international and regional organizations and partner entities, including the 1540 Committee, the BWC-ISU, the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), presented on assistance available to support Ecuador in the full and effective implementation of UNSCR 1540.
National stakeholders deliberating on elements to be incorporated into the National Action Plan for Resolution 1540
The workshop is part of a phased support programme aimed at enhancing implementation of UNSCR 1540 in Ecuador. Following the event, UNODA, in collaboration with CICTE/OAS, will continue to support Ecuador to develop its voluntary National Implementation Action Plan through a follow-up virtual workshop. This process will build upon the outcomes of this in-person workshop. Once completed, the plan will be validated and submitted to the 1540 Committee.
The workshop was made possible through the generous contributions of the European Union to the United Nations Trust Fund for Regional and Global Disarmament Activities.
For more information, please contact UNODA 1540 Support Unit at unoda-1540-unhq@un.org
