Disarmament in Review
The Regional Industry Outreach Conference for Latin American States in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) was held in Santiago, Chile from 5-6 October 2023. Resolution 1540 (2004) requires 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.
The conference was organized by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its Regional Centre in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in cooperation with the Federal Government of Germany. It was conducted within the framework of the “Wiesbaden Process,” initiated in 2012 to foster dialogue and strengthen the partnership between governments and industry in the implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004).
The conference built on the outcomes and discussions of the previous regional conference hosted by Mexico in 2017 and included government and industry participants from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Peru, as well as representatives of the 1540 Committee, Bureau of International Security and Non-proliferation of the US Department of State and Organization of American States.
The first day of the conference centered around presentations delivered by national representatives, shedding light on legislative updates and latest developments. These were followed by insightful discussions, offering diverse viewpoints and reflections on the pivotal role of industry in preventing proliferation, all within the context of Resolution 1540. Furthermore, the day included presentations highlighting effective compliance practices within industry, alongside discussions regarding the potential challenges faced by companies when navigating compliance frameworks.
On the second day, the agenda shifted towards exploring industry’s perspectives and expectations concerning effective licensing procedures. The day’s discussions also featured a panel session, delving into the complexities faced by both governments and companies in the region as they strive to implement export controls.
The two-day meeting proved to be an invaluable platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among government officials and industry stakeholders. The comprehensive discussions provided insights on how contribute to more effective licensing procedures, streamlined compliance practices, and enhanced collaboration between government and industry.
The workshop was made possible by contributions from Germany to the UN Trust Fund for Regional and Global Disarmament Activities.
For more information, please contact UNODA 1540 Support Unit at unoda-1540-unhq@un.org and UNLIREC at info@unlirec.org
