Explanation of vote by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia after UNSC vote on a draft resolution on renewal of the mandate of UNSC Committee 1540
Mr.President,
Let me start with expressing condolences to our Chinese friends on the demise of former President of the PCR and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Jiang Zemin. The name of this outstanding statesman is inextricably linked with an important period in China's newest history, marked by great achievements in economic and social development, as well as the strengthening of the country’s international position.
Mr.President,
As a co-author of UNSC resolution 1540, Russia attaches great importance to this unique document of the Council in the area of non-proliferation that remains totally relevant today. We are fully committed to the goals and objectives of the resolution which binds all UN member states to create and keep improving national control systems for nuclear, chemical, biological weapons, their delivery systems and related materials – in order to prevent those from falling into the hands of non-state actors, including terrorists, which should help articulate a global response to global challenges of WMD proliferation.
Today the Council unanimously adopted a crucial decision to extend the mandate of UNSC Committee 1540 for 10 years. This was made possible due to the serious efforts, constructive approach, and flexibility demonstrated by all Council members, thanks to which the document turned out truly consensual. We are thankful to all partners for their meaningful engagement.
We highly commend Mexico as Chair of Committee 1540. Thanks to their professionalism, we were able to endorse a new resolution and also carry out a comprehensive review of UNSC resolution 1540. Since assuming the duties of Chair of 1540 almost two years ago, Mexico has proven capable of proper organization of all aspects of this complex process, including open consultations of the Committee with member states. As a result of the review and lengthy consultations, report of the 1540 Committee was agreed upon, which turned out to be factual, well-balanced and consensual, and its provisions formed the basis of today's resolution.
We expect that with the adoption of this new substantive resolution, this important subsidiary body of the Security Council will more effectively fulfill its mandated tasks in the area of identifying and monitoring measures taken at the national level in pursuance of UNSCR 1540, as well as coordinating efforts in providing technical assistance to states at their request.
Respectful attitude towards all UN member states, maximum consideration of their interests and needs, as well as timely response to all incoming requests is key to successful work of the Committee, including at the new tracks that UNSC members identified in the newly adopted resolution. We do hope that the Committee will keep working in this vein.
We reaffirm our focus on continued constructive interaction with all partners and maintaining in the Committee the inherent spirit of resolution 1540, which is about cooperation of all member states in the interests of upholding the resolution and making progress in addressing global tasks of non-proliferation and countering WMD-terrorism.
Mr.President,
Since this is the last Council meeting in November, I would like to express appreciation on behalf of the Russian delegation to the Presidency for your effective, efficient, and professional guidance of the Security Council this month.
Thank you.
