Statement by
Christina B. Rocca
Permanent Representative of
the United States of America
to the Conference on Disarmament
at the Thematic Debate on
“Regional Disarmament Security”
in the First Committee of the General Assembly

Geneva,
October 24, 2007

Mr. Chairman, my delegation takes the floor today to highlight the important work being done by the United Nations to strengthen international security and fight the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. One such effort is the work of the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to increase outreach to regions around the world promoting implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 that is being conducted in cooperation with the 1540 Committee.
UNSCR 1540 is an excellent example of how the international community can work together to create effective tools to combat proliferation. There are substantial benefits to be gained through full and effective implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 and a firm commitment to its objectives. Not only is national security enhanced, but capacities applicable to other national priorities are built, from augmenting trade and export controls through demonstrated “good practices” and improving the capacity to mitigate threats to public health and security.

UNSCR 1540 also promotes increased transparency and cooperation within regions and with other UN Member States, the Secretariat and international organizations such as the IAEA, the OPCW and the many NGO’s that often provide important background materials and venues for this unique and across-the-board effort to reduce our collective risk from weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to bring the Committee’s attention to a regional seminar organized by UNODA with the 1540 Committee September 4-5, 2007 in Amman, Jordan on “Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 for Arab States.” This workshop was carried out within a similar framework as outreach activities in 2006 that took place in China, Ghana and Lima. The focus of the workshop was on furthering implementation and encouragement for the Arab region to increase its commitment to the obligations of UNSCR 1540.

This workshop was the first forum in the Arab region to focus on implementation as called for in UNSCR 1540 and UNSCR 1673. It provided important assistance to participating countries from that region to better under the practical challenges and tools necessary to implement the resolution. We encourage the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs and other regions to continue similar work in the future, and note that another workshop is being planned for late November in Gaborone, Botswana.

The United States will continue to support multilateral efforts for UNSCR 1540 implementation.
Thank you.


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