SC/8708
28 April 2006
Security Council Extends for 2 Years Mandate of Committee Monitoring Implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004) on Mass Destruction Weapons
Resolution 1673(2006) Adopted Unanimously; Intensified Effort Called for to Keep Non-State Actors from Acquiring Such Weapons
NEW YORK, 27 April (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council today extended, for a period of two years, until 27 April 2008, the mandate of the Committee established under resolution 1540 (2004), the first international instrument adopted by the Council dealing with weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials in an integrated and comprehensive manner.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1673 (2006), and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council also decided that the Committee should intensify its efforts to promote the full implementation by all States of resolution 1540, which required States to refrain from supporting, by any means, non-State actors that attempt to acquire, use or transfer nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems.
Resolution 1540 had also called on States to present a first report to that Committee, no later than six months from the adoption of the resolution, on steps they had taken, or intended to take, in its implementation.
By the terms of the resolution adopted today, the Council called on all States that had not yet presented a first report to do so to the Committee without delay.
In addition, the Council decided that the Committee would submit to the Council a report no later than 27 April 2008 on compliance with resolution 1540 through the achievement of the implementation of its requirements.
The meeting began at 4:40 p.m. and ended at 4:44 p.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1673 (2006) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Having considered the report of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), hereafter the 1540 Committee (S/2006/257), and reaffirming its resolution 1540 (2004) of 28 April 2004,
"Reaffirming that proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security,
"Endorsing the work already carried out by the 1540 Committee, particularly in its consideration of the national reports submitted by States pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004),
"Recalling that not all States have presented to the 1540 Committee their reports on the steps they have taken or intend to take to implement resolution 1540 (2004),
"Reaffirming its decision that none of the obligations in resolution 1540 (2004) shall be interpreted so as to conflict with or alter the rights and obligations of State Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention or alter the responsibilities of the International Atomic Energy Agency or the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons,
"Noting that the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by all States, including the adoption of national laws and measures to ensure the implementation of these laws, is a long-term task that will require continuous efforts at national, regional and international levels,
"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
"1. Reiterates its decisions in and the requirements of resolution 1540 (2004) and emphasizes the importance for all States to implement fully that resolution;
"2. Calls upon all States that have not yet presented a first report on steps they have taken or intend to take to implement resolution 1540 (2004) to submit such a report to the 1540 Committee without delay;
"3. Encourages all States that have submitted such reports to provide, at any time or upon the request of the 1540 Committee, additional information on their implementation of resolution 1540 (2004);
"4. Decides to extend the mandate of the 1540 Committee for a period of two years, with the continued assistance of experts, until 27 April 2008;
"5. Decides that the 1540 Committee shall intensify its efforts to promote the full implementation by all States of resolution 1540 (2004) through a work programme which shall include the compilation of information on the status of States' implementation of all aspects of resolution 1540 (2004), outreach, dialogue, assistance and cooperation, and which shall address in particular all aspects of paragraphs 1 and 2 of that resolution, as well as of paragraph 3 which encompasses (a) accountability, (b) physical protection, (c) border controls and law enforcement efforts and (d) national export and trans-shipment controls including controls on providing funds and services such as financing to such export and trans-shipment, and in that regard:
(a) encourages the pursuit of the ongoing dialogue between the 1540 Committee and States on the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004),
including on further actions needed from States to that end and on technical assistance needed and offered;
(b) invites the 1540 Committee to explore with States and international, regional and subregional organizations experience-sharing and lessons learned in the areas covered by resolution 1540 (2004), and the availability of programmes which might facilitate the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004);
"6. Decides that the 1540 Committee will submit to the Security Council a report no later than 27 April 2008 on compliance with resolution 1540 (2004) through the achievement of the implementation of its requirements;
"7. Decides to remain seized of the matter."
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