Multi-Year Programme of Outreach
Introduction
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and their means of delivery, to and by non-State actors. To strengthen its implementation, resolution 2663 (2022) calls for enhanced outreach efforts by the 1540 Committee. Specifically, paragraph 24 encourages the development of a multi-year programme of outreach to States, in agreement with the relevant Member States and with the assistance of the Committee’s Group of Experts.
1540 Committee outreach is guided by several operative paragraphs of resolution 2663 (2022). Paragraph 25 requests the 1540 Committee to both organize and participate in outreach events at international, regional, subregional, and national levels. The guidance distinguishes between events initiated by the Committee and those hosted by external entities. Additionally, paragraph 9 encourages proactive engagement with Member States, including through voluntary visits to States upon their invitation to support implementation efforts.
The Multi-Year Programme of Outreach to States (MYPO) responds to this guidance with a structured approach. It aims to foster dialogue, enhance transparency, build capacity, and promote effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) across diverse national contexts.
MYPO Framework
In alignment with the outreach guidance provided in resolution 2663 (2022), the 1540 Committee’s MYPO is structured generally around three work areas. These areas guide the 1540 Committee’s outreach efforts to support Member States in implementing resolution 1540 (2004).
1. 1540 Committee Hosted and Co-Hosted Activities
These activities are initiated or co-organized by the 1540 Committee in response to Member States’ implementation progress or specific requests for assistance, and topics may vary, as they could be thematic or regionally focused, for example. Additionally, the 1540 Committee’s comprehensive reviews of States’ implementation may also help identify priority subject areas for outreach. This may include, for example:
- Open briefings, as mandated in paragraph 26 of resolution 2663 (2022), held annually or as needed to update Member States and relevant organizations on the 1540 Committee’s activities.
- Point of Contact training, as urged in paragraph 6 of resolution 2325 (2016) to strengthen national capacity, exchange effective practices, and foster regional cooperation.
- Targeted outreach to groups of States through conferences or workshops or on specific thematic and regional issues as determined by the 1540 Committee.
Intended audiences generally include national authorities responsible for implementing resolution 1540 (2004). In line with paragraph 25 of resolution 2663 (2022), outreach may also involve parliamentarians and civil society, including industry and academia, as appropriate.
2. State Visits and Direct Engagement
The 1540 Committee actively engages with individual States to offer tailored support. This may include, for example:
- Regular outreach through correspondence or the 1540 Committee website to reaffirm the 1540 Committee’s mandate, available assistance, and information about Committee activities.
- Providing assistance, upon request, in drafting national reports, drafting formal assistance requests, and developing voluntary national implementation action plans.
- Voluntary visits, conducted by invitation of the host State, as encouraged in paragraph 9 of resolution 2663 (2022), which may cover awareness-raising and stakeholder engagement across government and civil society, and other topics as requested.
3. Participation in External Events
The 1540 Committee may participate in events organized by Member States or international, regional, and subregional organizations, upon invitation. Participation is determined based on the relevance of the event to resolution 1540 (2004) objectives.
Resolution 2663 (2022) acknowledges the importance of improving collaboration with regional and subregional organizations, recognizing their role in facilitating national implementation efforts.
Implementation of the MYPO
To operationalize the MYPO, the 1540 Committee maintains an internal indicative three-year rolling calendar that outlines both approved and prospective outreach activities to Member States. This internal calendar serves as a planning tool, helping the 1540 Committee coordinate efforts and anticipate potential future opportunities for engagement.
- Approved Activities: These are formally approved by the 1540 Committee and include events the Committee will organize or participate in. They reflect agreed Committee commitments based on Member States’ needs and relevance to resolution 1540 (2004) non-proliferation objectives.
1540 Committee decisions to organize or participate in outreach events are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the request’s relevance and alignment with resolution 1540 (2004) and successive resolutions. This approach ensures that the 1540 Committee remains responsive to evolving needs and maintains targeted and effective outreach to States.
- Prospective Activities: These are not yet approved but indicative of potential activities that may possibly address the 1540 Committee’s mandate to either organize outreach events itself or consider participation in externally planned events. These include information provided to the Committee by States and international, regional and sub-regional organisations and serve as placeholders for potential outreach opportunities and help in planning, but in no way are they considered to be approved by the Committee. Dates for prospective events are subject to change and to budgetary availability.