Ban welcomes extension of UN body dealing with weapons of mass destruction

By United Nations

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the 10-year extension of a committee tasked with monitoring a United Nations resolution seeking to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

“Concerted international cooperation and action remains vital to the prevention of proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery to terrorists and other non-State actors,” a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson stated.

Last week the Security Council extended until 25 April 2021 the mandate of the committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), which imposes binding obligations on all States to establish controls

preventing the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their means of delivery.

In addition to monitoring the resolution, the so-called 1540 Committee encourages greater international cooperation on issues related to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to promote universal adherence to existing nonproliferation treaties.

Last week's resolution also requested the Secretary-General to establish a group of up to eight experts to assist the committee.

“The Secretary-General will continue to give priority to disarmament and non-proliferation issues and is ready to work actively with the Security Council to promote international efforts to achieve the objectives of resolution 1540 (2004),” today's statement added.