Columbia International Affairs Online
CIAO DATE: 10/5/2007
Implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540: A Division of Labor Strategy
June 2007
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract
Resolution 1540 (2004) is the most comprehensive response of the UN Security Council to the exposure of the transnational nuclear smuggling network set up by Pakistani scientist A. Q. Khan. The resolution is exceptional in that it compels every UN member state to criminalize the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to nonstate actors in its national legislation and establish effective domestic controls to prevent proliferation. If effectively implemented, Resolution 1540 would make a real difference. It would make proliferation more difficult and less attractive, facilitate the dismantlement of proliferation networks, and create momentum to strengthen other aspects of the nonproliferation regime.
Effective implementation of Resolution 1540 depends on the application of a division of labor strategy. Such a strategy would be based on different actors— the relevant Security Council Committee (the 1540 Committee), international organizations and regimes, individual states, and NGOs—bringing in their comparative advantages to address the various implementation challenges.
Presently, the contours of such a division of labor strategy are becoming apparent. Yet, the slow pace of implementation does not match the urgency with which the present proliferation risks ought to be addressed.
To assure that momentum for the necessarily lengthy implementation process is created and maintained, policy makers should consider the following recommendations: The Security Council should strengthen the structural foundation of the 1540 Committee. International organizations and regimes, individual states, and NGOs should make more assistance available, target a greater circle of key risk states, and cooperate more closely with the 1540 Committee. The nuclear weapons states should take steps to reduce the asymmetries of the nonproliferation regime. NGOs and regional organizations should put pressure on advanced states to treat implementation of Resolution 1540 as a priority.
