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Preventing WMD Proliferation: The Future of UNSCR 1540

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Preventing the Proliferation of WMDs

Abstract

This chapter explores how the resolution can best contribute to the non-proliferation regime in the years ahead. However, before exploring considerations related to the future of the resolution, it is helpful to explore societal dynamics that could impact upon the resolution’s effectiveness and lessen the barriers to non-state actor involvement in proliferation in the future. After exploring these issues, this chapter then explores the implications of this analysis for the future of the resolution in terms of its scope and mandate, international legal framework, and national implementation. Finally, thoughts on the future of the resolution are presented.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Keohane, R. and Nye, J. ‘Globalisation: What’s New? What’s Not? (And So What?)’, Foreign Policy, No. 118 (Spring 2000).

  2. 2.

    Analysis of WTO figures from 1950 to 2012 shows an exponential rise until 2009, when the effects of the global recession began to be reflected in recorded figures. See ‘International Trade Statistics 2013: Appendix: Historical Trends’, The World Trade Organisation. Available at: <http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2013_e/its13_toc_e.htm> (Accessed 29 July 2014).

  3. 3.

    See ‘Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Megaports Initiative Faces Funding and Sustainability Challenges’, GAO-13-37, Government Accountability Office, 28 November 2012.

  4. 4.

    Stewart, I. J., ‘The Contribution of Intangible Technology Controls in Controlling the Spread of Strategic Technologies’, Strategic Trade Review, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Autumn 2015).

  5. 5.

    World Bank figures show a 50% increase in air journeys in the period 2004–2013. ‘Air transport, passengers carried’, The World Bank. Available at: <http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.AIR.PSGR/countries?display=graph> (Accessed 29 July 2014).

  6. 6.

    See for example, Montgomery, A. ‘Ringing in Proliferation: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Network’, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Fall 2005).

  7. 7.

    Christopher, G., ‘3D Printing: A Challenge to Nuclear Export Controls’, Strategic Trade Review, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Autumn 2015).

  8. 8.

    ‘NASA’s Space Launch System Using Futuristic Technology to Build the Next Generation of Rockets’, nasa.gov. Available at: <http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/selective_melting.html#.U8zf0PldWSo> (Accessed 21 July 2014).

  9. 9.

    See for example, Ouagrham-Gormley, S.B., ‘Dissuading Biological Weapons Proliferation’, Contemporary Security Policy, Vol. 34, No.3, 473–500, https://doi.org/10.1080/13523260.2013.842294.

  10. 10.

    It should be noted that certain countries, including the US, have enacted so-called extraterritorial measures, which have the effect of influencing non-state actors in third states. This has proven a powerful tool in responding to concerns both regarding proliferation and terrorism, with entities of concern, in effect, being cut off from the international financial system. A key point, however, is that these measures are not enacted under the auspices of 1540.

  11. 11.

    As argued by the French representative at the open Security Council meeting in 2004, as read in… Bosch, O. and Van Ham, P., ‘Global Non-proliferation and Counter Terrorism: The Impact of 1540’, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, 2007, p. 7.

  12. 12.

    Cupitt, R. ‘Personal Reflections on UNSCR1977’, 1540 Com’ass, Winter 2012, Vol. 1, Issue 1.

  13. 13.

    Taylor, T. ‘Is “R” Covered by 1540?’, Discussion Forum, 1540 Compass, Winter 2014, Issue 5.

  14. 14.

    Alpha (King’s College), IDSA and ISS in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs ‘Identification of Effective Implementation Practices by Examining UNSCR 1540 (2004) after a Decade of Its Existence’, 25–26 February 2014. Available at: <http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/warstudies/research/groups/csss/pubs/Alpha--IDSA-report.pdf> (Accessed 16 July 2014).

  15. 15.

    Wuchte, T. ‘A Strategy for the 1540 Committee’, 1540 Compass, Winter 2012, Vol. 1, Issue 1.

  16. 16.

    Arms Trade Treaty, UN, New York. Available at: <https://unoda-web.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/English7.pdf> (Accessed 16 July 2014).

  17. 17.

    See for example, Cupitt, R. ‘Personal Reflections on UNSCR1977’, 1540 Compass, Winter 2012, Vol. 1, Issue 1.

  18. 18.

    President Bush argued for the adoption of an antiproliferation treaty in his speech to the general assembly in September 2002. See ‘Statement by His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush, President of the United States of America Address to the United Nations General Assembly September 23, 2003’. Available at: <http://www.un.org/webcast/ga/58/statements/usaeng030923.htm> (Accessed 29 July 2014).

  19. 19.

    ‘Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction’, UN General Assembly Resolution 57/83 (as adopted at the 57th plenary on 22 November 2002).

  20. 20.

    Interview with Tobey, W. conducted by Ian J. Stewart, Summer 2013.

  21. 21.

    For example, it is possible that states or groupings of states could challenge the legitimacy of the security council ‘remaining seized’ of the issues covered by resolution 1540 at the end of the 10 year mandate provided by resolution 1977. What factors could drive such challenge are difficult to predict but could include a retribution for a failed 2020 review conference.

  22. 22.

    The Mexican system utilises this approach, for example. See Ochoa, C.E.H, and Morales, P.F.G, ‘A Milestone in Mexico’s Export Control Evolution’, The 1540 Compass. Available at: <http://cits.uga.edu/uploads/compass/03-07-ochoa.pdf> (Accessed 21 October 2015).

  23. 23.

    Cupitt, R., ‘Nearly at the Brink: The Tasks and Capacity of the 1540 Committee’, Arms Control Today, September 2012.

  24. 24.

    Cupitt, R., ‘Nearly at the Brink: The Tasks and Capacity of the 1540 Committee’.

  25. 25.

    See, for example, Heyes, A., Bowen, W. and Chalmers, H. ‘The Global Partnership Against WMD: Successes and Shortcomings of G8 Threat Reduction since 9/11’, Whitehall paper 76, Royal United Services Institute, 2011.

  26. 26.

    See ‘Global Partnership Against the Spread of Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction: President’s Report for 2013’, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, December 2013. Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269504/UK_2013_GP_Report.pdf> (Accessed 29 July 2014).

  27. 27.

    For example, the final communique of the 2010 nuclear security summit, while mentioning several other nuclear security instruments, did not mention UNSCR1540. ‘Communiqué of the Washington Nuclear Security Summit’, The White House, office of the Press Secretary, 13 April 2010. Available at: <http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/communiqu-washington-nuclear-security-summit> (Accessed 18 July 2014).

  28. 28.

    Heyes, A., Bowen, W. and Chalmers, H. ‘The Global Partnership Against WMD: Successes and Shortcomings of G8 Threat Reduction since 9/11’, p. 10.

  29. 29.

    For example, UNSCR 1977, which extended the mandate of the 1540 Committee by 10 years ‘urges’ the 1540 Committee to “continue to engage actively with States and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations to promote the sharing of experience, lessons learned and effective practices, in the areas covered by resolution 1540 (2004), drawing in particular on information provided by States as well as examples of successful assistance, and to liaise on the availability of programmes which might facilitate the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), while bearing in mind that customized assistance is useful for the effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) at national levels”.

  30. 30.

    13th Programme of Work, 1540 Committee, UN, New York.

  31. 31.

    See for example, Beck, M., ‘Implementation Challenges for Small and Developing Countries’, 1540 Compass, Issue 4, Fall 2013.

  32. 32.

    Finlay, B., ‘Meeting the Objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1540: The Role of Civil Society’, Stimson Centre, December 2012, and Sokova, E. ‘Improving Capacity, Communication, and Civil Society Engagement’, 1540 Compass, Issue 4, Fall 2013. Available at: <http://cits.uga.edu/1540compass/article/improving-capacity-communication-and-civil-society-engagement> (Accessed 21 July 2014).

  33. 33.

    Bowen, W., Stewart, I. J. and Salisbury, D. ‘Engaging China in Proliferation Prevention’, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (October 2013).

  34. 34.

    Alpha (King’s College London), IDSA and ISS in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs ‘Identification of Effective Implementation Practices by Examining UNSCR 1540 (2004) after a Decade of Its Existence’, Conference Proceedings, 25–26 February 2014. Available at: <http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/warstudies/research/groups/csss/pubs/Alpha--IDSA-report.pdf> (Accessed 21 July 2014).

  35. 35.

    ‘Information Note’ on event: ‘1540 Peer review conducted by Croatia and Poland (visit to Croatia)’, 1540 Committee, United Nations, New York. Available at: <http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/transparency-and-outreach/pdf/Information%20Note_Peer_Review_Zagreb_2013-43.pdf> (Accessed 18 July 2014).

  36. 36.

    Alpha (King’s College London), IDSA and ISS in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs ‘Identification of Effective Implementation Practices by Examining UNSCR 1540 (2004) after a Decade of its Existence’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. War Studies Department, King’s College London, London, UK

    Ian J. Stewart

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Daniel Salisbury

  2. War Studies Department, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Ian J. Stewart

  3. War Studies Department, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Andrea Viski

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Stewart, I.J. (2018). Preventing WMD Proliferation: The Future of UNSCR 1540. In: Salisbury, D., Stewart, I., Viski, A. (eds) Preventing the Proliferation of WMDs. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72203-0_6

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