The Security Council was briefed today on the work of its subsidiary body tasked with monitoring and supporting efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors, as speakers underscored the importance of its work in a tumultuous time for global security.
The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) is mandated to assist and track national implementation of obligations flowing from that text, promote cooperation in this area and conduct transparency and outreach activities. The Council was last briefed on the Committee's work on 6 August 2025 and updated on 19 November 2025 .
The representative of the United States, speaking in her capacity as Council President, noted that she would report on the Committee's work "following the understanding reached by Council members" pending the election of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the organ's subsidiary bodies.
She said that the Committee participated in 26 outreach events in 2025 on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) at the national, subregional, regional and international levels. It also convened an open briefing for Member States and international, regional and subregional organizations in October 2025. Further, the Committee continued to strengthen the capacity of national points of contact, including through regional training programmes such as the one hosted in Panama City in December 2025.
She also reported that the Committee approved and made available on its website its first voluntary technical reference guide pursuant to resolution 2663 (2022) concerning obligations to establish, develop, review and maintain appropriate, effective national export controls. That resolution also requires the Committee to conduct a comprehensive review on the status of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by December 2027. In December 2025, the Committee adopted a modalities paper that will guide this process and published the same on its website.
Detailing other preparations underway for that comprehensive review, she also noted that the relevant Group of Experts currently has three vacancies under consideration by the Committee. "In order to ensure that the Committee's support structure is fully resourced - especially in view of the ongoing 2027 comprehensive review - the Committee underlines the importance of filling the vacancies in its Group of Experts," she said. Looking forward, she reported that the Committee will continue its work under the programme it adopted for the period of 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.
Former Chair Stresses Resolution 1540 (2004) as Key Pillar of Non-proliferation System
Following that update, Panama's representative - who served as the Committee's Chair in 2025 - stressed that resolution 1540 (2004) is "one of the vital components of the multilateral non-proliferation system". Expressing regret that the Committee was unable to "fully" begin its work for 2025 until May of that year, he pointed out that, three months into 2026, subsidiary bodies still await their Chairs. He also underlined the need for the Committee to have a complete Group of Experts, underscoring: "In a global environment marked by rapid technological progress, the proliferation of dual-use capacities and the growing intangible transfer of knowledge, the international community cannot afford to let up."
Other Council members also underlined the importance of the Committee's work given the current global context. Bahrain's representative said that today's meeting comes at a "sensitive time as our region sees a very dangerous escalation due to Iranian aggression". The representative of Denmark noted that the global non-proliferation landscape "remains under severe pressure", while the representative of the United States pointed to the Houthis' threat to global security and international commerce. Meanwhile, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that the current surge in extreme violence shows that "no one will be spared from the threat posed by the use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors".
Latvia's representative pointed to "persistent and systematic" efforts from "belligerent State actors" to weaken and undermine international non-proliferation norms. A prime example of this, she said, is "the Iranian regime's opaque pursuit of uranium enrichment to such a degree that defies any possible peaceful purpose", as well as its cooperation with "exactly the sort of terrorist group" contemplated by resolution 1540 (2004). She also spotlighted Pyongyang's illegal nuclear programme and Moscow's "continued, irresponsible, dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric". She stated: "In an environment as tense and complex as this, the constructive work of the Committee remains crucial."
Calls for Filling Vacancies in Group of Experts, Appointment of Subsidiary Body Chairs
However, many Council members expressed concern over impediments to that work. Noting the importance of an "active and fully staffed Group of Experts", the representative of the United Kingdom said that "any action that might hinder the Committee's vital work should be reversed immediately". France's representative said that the Committee must have the necessary means to operate smoothly, urging that its Chair - along with those of other subsidiary bodies - be appointed "forthwith". She also said that vacancies within the Group of Experts must be filled without delay, as the Group's efficacy "depends on it". Agreeing, Greece's representative observed: "Regrettably, this has become a long-overdue issue."
The representative of Colombia, also noting the challenge posed by vacant seats within the Group of Experts, added that effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) depends on broader international cooperation to help countries access the support needed to strengthen the security of sensitive materials. While acknowledging the Committee's work, Somalia's representative emphasized that the primary responsibility for non-proliferation rests with national Governments. Offering a practical example of measures taken on a national level, Liberia's representative spotlighted detection upgrades both at his country's international airport and at the port of Monrovia.
Some Delegates Stress Need to Balance Non-Proliferation with Peaceful Development
Additionally, multilateral export-control regimes can help strengthen global non-proliferation efforts, said Pakistan's representative. However, to maintain credibility, they must "avoid becoming exclusive syndicates" that prioritize political and commercial interests, he stressed, adding that effective non-proliferation requires a non-discriminatory, objective and criteria-based approach. He also said that non-proliferation efforts "must not impede international cooperation in the peaceful use of dual-use technologies, which is vital for the economic development of all Member States - particularly the Global South".
Similarly, China's representative said that achieving non-proliferation objectives "should not come at the expense of scientific and technological progress". It is important to balance development and security, and to safeguard developing countries' legitimate rights to the peaceful use of certain technologies. He therefore opposed the use of export controls and unilateral sanctions "under the pretext of national security or non-proliferation". Rather, he said that non-proliferation is a global challenge that must be addressed with "genuine" multilateralism, due consideration of all countries' security concerns and a "realization of common security".
For her part, the representative of the Russian Federation - recalling her delegation's direct participation in the preparation of resolution 1540 (2004) - underlined the need for the Committee to strictly comply with its mandate, "which has clear-cut contours". This includes monitoring the implementation of that resolution and coordinating international efforts to provide technical cooperation to requesting States. She stressed that assigning "non-core" functions to the Committee - including that of oversight - is "unacceptable". She added that injecting topics into the Committee's work that stray beyond its mandate, such as the fight against terrorism, sanctions issues and the development of new technologies, is "equally unacceptable".
Complete Live Blog coverage of today's meeting can be found here .
