UNSC Emphasizes Resolution 1540 Amid WMD Risks

The Security Council was briefed on the work of its subsidiary body tasked with monitoring and supporting efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 7:18am

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The Security Council was briefed on the work of its subsidiary body, the 1540 Committee, which is tasked with monitoring and supporting efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors. Speakers underscored the importance of the Committee's work in the current global security environment marked by rapid technological progress, the proliferation of dual-use capacities, and the growing intangible transfer of knowledge.

Why it matters

Resolution 1540 (2004) is considered one of the vital components of the multilateral non-proliferation system. The Committee's work is crucial in addressing the threat posed by the potential use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors, especially in the current global context of heightened tensions and regional conflicts.

The details

The Committee participated in 26 outreach events in 2025 on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and convened an open briefing for Member States and international, regional and subregional organizations in October 2025. The Committee also approved and made available on its website its first voluntary technical reference guide on national export controls, as required by resolution 2663 (2022). The Committee is also preparing for a comprehensive review on the status of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by December 2027.

  • The Council was last briefed on the Committee's work on 6 August 2025 and updated on 19 November 2025.
  • In December 2025, the Committee adopted a modalities paper that will guide the 2027 comprehensive review process and published the same on its website.
  • The Committee will continue its work under the programme it adopted for the period of 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.

The players

United States

The representative of the United States, speaking in her capacity as Council President, provided the update on the Committee's work.

Panama

Panama's representative, who served as the Committee's Chair in 2025, stressed that resolution 1540 (2004) is "one of the vital components of the multilateral non-proliferation system".

1540 Committee

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) is mandated to assist and track national implementation of obligations flowing from that text, promote cooperation in this area and conduct transparency and outreach activities.

Group of Experts

The relevant Group of Experts that supports the 1540 Committee currently has three vacancies under consideration by the Committee.

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What they’re saying

“In a global environment marked by rapid technological progress, the proliferation of dual-use capacities and the growing intangible transfer of knowledge, the international community cannot afford to let up.”

— Panama's representative, Former Chair of the 1540 Committee

“In an environment as tense and complex as this, the constructive work of the Committee remains crucial.”

— Latvia's representative

What’s next

The Committee will continue its work under the programme it adopted for the period of 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027. The relevant Group of Experts currently has three vacancies under consideration by the Committee, which the Committee underlines the importance of filling.

The takeaway

Resolution 1540 (2004) is a vital component of the multilateral non-proliferation system, and the work of the 1540 Committee remains crucial in addressing the threat posed by the potential use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors, especially in the current complex global security environment.