Disarmament in Review
27-28 September 2017
Bangkok, Thailand
More than 45 participants from Southeast Asian States and Timor-Leste met in Bangkok on 27 and 28 September 2017 to discuss progress in, and challenges to, the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), on the non-proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery to non-State actors.
The workshop was jointly organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) and the Government of Thailand, with financial support from the Governments of Australia and Austria. Representatives of the United Nations and the 1540 Committee’s Group of Experts also participated in the workshop.
The international experts emphasised the synergies between resolution 1540 and other related politically or legally binding instruments. The participants discussed in detail issues related to the safety and security of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials and export and border controls of such materials, including transfers of respective tangible and intangible technologies.
Representatives from the participating States shared national legislation to control biological and chemical materials and respective technologies, and effective practices and experience in protection of intangible technologies in the bio- and medical industries.
Furthermore, the 1540 Experts and UNRCPD shared recommendations and effective practices in developing national action plans to implement the resolution. The Regional Centre also presented its experience in supporting regional implementation of resolution 1540 in Central Asia and Mongolia through a joint project of the Office for Disarmament Affairs and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. That project has already resulted in the submission of three national action plans to the 1540 Committee.
State representatives indicated their satisfaction with the lively discussions and the wealth of relevant experience and expertise that were shared in each session, which provided them with knowledge and resources that will support them in furthering the full implementation of resolution 1540.
Photos from the event
