Visit by 1540 Committee Group of Experts

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Visit by 1540 Committee Group of Experts


Fact Sheet

Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation

July 18, 2011




On September 12, a group of experts from the Committee established by UN Security Council Resolution 1540 will visit the United States to gain a better understanding of how the U.S. implements the resolution. During their visit, the group of experts will be briefed on U.S. nonproliferation and counterproliferation efforts, including the following: U.S. laws and regulations related to prohibiting the illicit acquisition of WMD-related materials; enforcement of these laws and regulations, including security measures, border controls, and other measures to prevent illicit trafficking in WMD, their means of delivery, and related materials. Along with a series of briefings, the Group of Experts are expected to visit several sites around the Washington, DC area for practical demonstrations of U.S. domestic counterproliferation capabilities.
The purpose of this visit is for the United States to demonstrate its domestic capabilities to implement the Resolution. The 2009 Comprehensive Review of 1540 implementation cited visits of this nature as a way for the 1540 Committee to assess the international community’s progress in meeting the objectives of the Resolution. The visit will benefit the Committee by illustrating U.S. best practices that other states could adopt, or alternatively, adapt to local circumstances. It will benefit the United States by helping identify gaps in our capabilities.
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1540 in 2004, partially in response to revelations about the A.Q. Khan network’s illicit proliferation activities. It establishes binding obligations on all states to refrain from providing any form of support to non-state actors seeking WMD, to adopt and enforce effective laws that prohibit non-state actors from any involvement with the proliferation of WMD, and to take effective measures to prevent WMD proliferation -- including security measures, border controls, and law enforcement efforts to prevent illicit trafficking in WMD, their means of delivery, and related materials.
For more information, please contact U.S. 1540 Coordinator Thomas A. Wuchte at (202) 736-4275 or usg1540@state.gov.