Mr. Chairman
Norway welcomes this review of the status of implementing UNSCR 1540 and the follow-up resolutions. A comprehensive review with broad participation is necessary to take stock more than five years after the adoption of the resolution. We need to know where we stand, and the where we must go, in our common endeavours to prohibit non-State actors from developing, possessing or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.
One week ago the Security Council Summit unanimously adopted Resolution 1887 sending a strong message that proliferation of nuclear weapons constitutes a threat to international peace and security and the safest course of action would be to abolish these weapons. The Norwegian government is firmly committed to the objective of reaching a world free of weapons of mass destruction. It will require binding and verifiable agreements that involve all countries. And, in order to reach the objective of a safer world without weapons of mass destruction we need early and full implementation of UNSCR 1540.
In Norway’s view the implementation on UNSCR 1540 is even more important now than five years ago. As president Obama said in his landmark Prague speech “the threat of nuclear war has gone down but the risk of a nuclear attack has gone up”.
In this vein Norway welcomes the US initiative to host a Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April next year. We are convinced that the outcome of this Summit will facilitate consensus at the NPT 2010 Review Conference, and not least contribute to further implementation of UNSCR 1540.
Mr. Chairman
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.
I also want to add that the implementation of UNSCR 1540 is clearly in the interest of all members of the UN. Not only in order to contribute to a safer world for us all, but also because implementation of 1540 Commitments will facilitate peaceful uses and hence realising the full potential of Article IV of the NPT Treaty, Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention and Article XI of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Mr. Chairman
Resolution 1540 recognises that national governments are responsible for establishing effective domestic controls to prevent proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery. At the same time we fully recognise that countries may need external technical assistance for developing national legislation and enforcing it. Norway therefore highly appreciates the efforts by the UNODA and the 1540 Committee in this respect.
Norway has for many years supported various activities to promote the implementation of UNSCR 1540, and we will continue to do so. We have financed studies inter alia on regional organizations’ roles. And we have provided funding for a number of regional workshops and seminars organized by the UNODA.
Mr. Chairman, the debate here today is particularly welcome because there is a need to identify new approaches for the implementation of UNSCR 1540. I would like to offer four reflections:
First, national ownership and commitment is crucial. The implementation of a resolution as wide-ranging as UNSCR 1540 is not merely a technical task but very much a political one. To this end we must all reach out to our national actors and indicate how implementation can serve their interests. For instance strengthened border control can help increase customs revenue. Similar measures can help to forestall public health emergencies. More broadly, as these examples suggest, implementing UNSCR 1540 can contribute to broader national development goals.
Second, each country has its specific needs and implementation varies from region to region and from state to state within the region. For implementation therefore, and for assistance requests, national action plans or road maps are essential. As far as possible such action plans should include national priorities. That will also help coordinate contributions from different actors or donors.
Third, we need to engage the private sector. Many of us have a tendency to focus only on the public sector. However, very often public-private partnership and the interests in industry, trade and energy can be very beneficial. It is useful to incorporate the concerns and suggestions of private sector stakeholders.
Fourth. For different reasons we may not have moved as far as we had wanted five year after UNSCR 1540 was adopted. However, we have gained quite a lot of experience regarding challenges, bottlenecks and best practice. Norway would encourage even more sharing of information and “lessoned learned”. Furthermore, some regional organizations have done excellent work in promoting the implementation of the resolution which to some extent can be duplicated.
Mr. Chairman, Norway hopes this debate on new and innovative approaches to implement UNSCR 1540 will move us forward in reaching common objectives.
Thank you Mr. Chairman