On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (2004) (UNSCR 1540), the Center for International Trade and Security (CITS) of the University of Georgia, United States of America, devoted a special issue of its periodical publication, the 1540 Compass, to the 10-year jubilee of the resolution. It features, among others, a contribution on UNODC's assistance to States in meeting certain obligations arising from UNSCR 1540.
The article outlines UNODC's mandate with regard to the international legal counter-terrorism framework. The mandate includes the promotion of the ratification and the effective implementation of the international conventions and protocols related to counter-terrorism, seven of which address the criminalization of certain acts involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons or material. The article also clarifies the relationship and inter-linkages between those seven international legal instruments and the requirements of UNSCR 1540. The resolution obliges States, inter alia, to refrain from supporting by any means non-state actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems.
The contribution also describes UNODC's legal technical assistance and capacity-building activities and highlights examples of its successful work, in this regard. For instance, the impact of UNODC's endeavours to help States enhancing their counter-terrorism capabilities has been internationally recognized and can be illustrated by the number of countries assisted, officials trained, laws reviewed and ratifications achieved as a result of UNODC's efforts.
Beyond providing direct legal technical assistance to States, upon their request, UNODC also strives to assist them by developing publications and model legislation which contributes to mitigating the challenges posed by the need for harmonization of national legal frameworks with international standards. One example is the development of model legislative provisions for the implementation of the criminalization provisions of the international legal instruments dealing with CBRN terrorism.
The article further features examples of the good cooperation existing between UNODC and the Committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1540, as well as with other relevant international and regional organizations and entities.