OSCE supports workshop in Kazakhstan on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

Ways to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Central Asian region was discussed at a workshop co-organized by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs on 27-29 September in Astana.

The Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) obliges all States to refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.  Under the resolution, all States are to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of these weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including by establishing appropriate controls over related materials.

Officials from all five Central Asian states and representatives of international and regional organizations shared experiences and information on the implementation of the Security Council resolution. The discussed improving national border and export control capacities, communication between stakeholders including sharing best practices.

The event was hosted by Kazakhstan as the current chair of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation. Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is one of the Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship’s priorities.

The OSCE supports its participating States in the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540. Following requests by the states, the Conflict Prevention Centre of the OSCE Secretariat assists them in the development of national action plans and drafting the legislative framework to implement the resolution.

The workshop was held with financial support from the Governments of Norway and the United States.