UN Security Council Committee pursuant to Resolution 1540 - Open Briefing

I thank Panama for its stewardship of this Committee, and the 1540 Committee for organising this Open Briefing.

More than two decades after its adoption, Resolution 1540 remains an indispensable tool to prevent the proliferation of WMDs, their means of delivery and related materials, to and by non-State actors.

Despite progress, full implementation remains a long-term task requiring sustained
commitment. This Committee and its support to Member States is central to this effort. We must ensure its mandate is matched by resources, political will, and cross-border cooperation.

Chair,
It is essential that Member States requesting assistance receive it. Norway welcomes the Committee’s review and update of its assistance mechanism. We appreciate its outreach efforts and encourage their continuation. We also urge Member States yet to do so to submit their national reports.

The Group of Experts plays a crucial role in its support. A fully constituted Group is vital. We hope to see all positions filled without delay. We fully support the experts’ independent role and encourage further empowerment to advance full implementation of the resolution. Norway remains ready to consider States’ requests for assistance and support capacity building efforts that strengthen national non-proliferation frameworks.

Chair,
Emerging technologies offer great promise but also new risks. Nuclear, chemical, and
biological threats—and their means of delivery—have evolved, becoming more accessible to non-State actors.

These threats transcend borders. Addressing them requires collective action. Norway values the Committee’s collaboration with organizations such as the IAEA, Interpol and OPCW, as well as regional and subregional organizations, industry, academia and civil society. Diverse expertise enhances our collective resilience.

Finally, this year marks the anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325. In line with
resolution 2663, this Committee should give due consideration to the full, equal and
meaningful participation of women in all its activities. Together with Mexico, Norway
submitted a non-paper during the 2022 Comprehensive Review Process offering concrete recommendations on how this can be done. Norway urges to apply this lens systematically.

Chair,
Resolution 1540 is a strong example of international cooperation against WMD proliferation. Norway remains firmly committed to supporting this resolution’s effective and universal implementation.

Thank you.