Ambassador Richard Mills
Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
February 25, 2022
AS DELIVERED
In light of comments made just now by the Russian Delegation, I would like to make a few points for the record myself.
First, the United States thanks Mexico for putting forward this resolution to extend the mandate of the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts. We believe this technical extension will allow the Committee and Group of Experts to continue their important work. The 1540 Committee is a powerful tool to help prevent the most dangerous weapons from falling into the hands of non-state actors. We support the continued work of the committee and we look forward to completing the comprehensive review and substantive mandate renewal later this year.
A meaningful comprehensive review that brings together Member States and civil society, including international and regional organizations, industry, and academia, is essential to ensuring that the 1540 Committee continues to meet the challenge of preventing non-state actors, including but not limited to terrorist groups, from acquiring or using WMDs or related goods and know-how. In this regard, we welcome the opportunity to engage these stakeholders through open sessions held in whatever format may be most feasible.
During the upcoming 1540 comprehensive review and mandate renewal, we will prioritize the full implementation of states’ obligations under resolution 1540 by striving to improve the functionality and credibility of the Committee, by striving to improve the functionality and credibility of the committee, empowering its Group of Experts, and enhancing its support to assistance and outreach-related activities.
In conclusion, I want to note we support the ambitious but achievable timeline that the 1540 Committee Chair has proposed to complete the comprehensive review. And We look forward to working with other Council Members to conduct a successful review that informs the mandate renewal later this year.
Thank you.
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