Mr Chairman,
Norway welcomes the debate on "Co-operation between the Security Council and International Organizations in the Implementation of Resolutions 1540 (2004) and 1673 (2006)". These resolutions address the most pressing proliferation challenges of today. We are therefore firmly committed to the implementation of them.
Resolution 1540 constitutes an essential element of the global counter-proliferation and counter-terrorism regime. It is imperative that individual states implement and enforce national export control regulations called for in the resolution, on the basis of high international standards. Only in this way can we develop a “no-go area” for proliferators and illicit procurement activities.
Although Resolution 1540 recognises that national governments are responsible for establishing effective domestic controls to prevent proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery, it is absolute essential that their efforts are coordinated through international cooperation.
In this regard we attach great importance to paragraph 7 of the resolution, which recognises that some states may require assistance in implementing the provisions of the resolution and invites states, that are in a position to do so, to offer assistance in response to specific requests.
Norway has for many years supported various activities in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Financial support has been channelled through the UN system and to various Norwegian and international research institutions. We have also provided funding for seminars on implementing Resolution 1540.
Mr. Chairman,
Through regional seminars and outreach programs, the Committee and member states have commendably focused on increasing the quantity and quality of reporting. Ongoing work with this focus is necessary and welcome.
The debate here today is particularly welcome because there is also a need to improve the form and quality of outreach and assistance in this regard. Not only do states have a responsibility for reporting, but those states and organisations which provide assistance also have a duty to ensure that, to the fullest extent possible, it is effective, efficient and well-coordinated.
Because the obligations under resolution 1540 overlaps and interlocks with numerous international agreements and regimes as well as bilateral programs, this requires understanding the full scope and content of assistance which is already provided by states and international and regional organisations; sharing 'lessons learned'; and, where possible, developing common and realistic expectations of information-sharing, cooperation and coordination.
Norway hopes this debate will move us in this direction.
My government is also pleased to announce that it is co-hosting, with the governments of Germany and Chile, an upcoming workshop on national non-proliferation controls, a title which reflects the diverse obligations, mechanisms and actors which must work in concert to achieve effective implementation of resolution 1540, and, more broadly, for a strengthened non-proliferation regime.
The main items to be discussed at the workshop (27 March) include implementation challenges, assistance and enhanced cooperation.
Unfortunately it is not possible to invite all UN member states to the workshop, but we are looking forward to a cross-regional representation.
Norway and its co-organisers expect that the workshop would produce recommendations to help donors and organisations, and states seeking assistance to better focus and coordinate their own efforts taking into account existing programs and their comparative advantages. Workshop recommendations should account for common challenges and ‘lessons learned’, and donors and providers of assistance would benefit from the participation of a select number of countries receiving such assistance.
We also do hope that the recommendations which emerge from this workshop will contribute to the aims proposed by the committee chairman in his opening remarks here today and in the proposed Presidential statement.
Thank you