UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

Check against delivery.

I want to join others in thanking Ambassador Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez for his briefing today, and his able chairmanship of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). I assure you of the UAE’s full support for the Committee. I also wish to extend the UAE’s gratitude to the Group of Experts, which has been instrumental in promoting the implementation of this resolution. We were glad to renew the 1540 Committee’s mandate unanimously last month.

The current global non-proliferation regime is vulnerable to the emerging threats of the illicit use of modern technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence, which non-state actors and terrorists could exploit. The international community should address these threats by reviewing the existing disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, including the 1540 committee. Furthermore, governments should do their part by periodically enhancing their national policies. For its part, the UAE has recently initiated a nationwide assessment for public and private sectors to develop appropriate measures against proliferation financing.

Resolution 1540 has long been central in the efforts of ensuring that terrorists and non-State actors do not acquire, develop, traffic in, or use weapons of mass destruction. The Committee has played a vital role in supporting the global non-proliferation architecture by facilitating assistance and matchmaking for Member States in their respective efforts to implement resolution 1540.

The UAE supports the continuation of the Comprehensive Review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540, following postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that the review process will strengthen the overall shape of the Committee and address the existing gaps identified by Member States and other stakeholders during consultations. Ultimately, the UAE hopes to see the Comprehensive Review results reflected in the further renewal of the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts in November this year. In that regard, the UAE wants to highlight the following aspects in the work of the Committee.

First, the Committee should urgently facilitate arrangements for open consultations with Member States and international, regional, and subregional organizations, civil society, and the private sector as part of the comprehensive review. We support the Chair’s efforts in that regard. It will be critical for Member States and other stakeholders to exchange views and best practices.

Second, the Committee should consider streamlining its work and making it more accessible. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted several committee activities, and in some instances, the Committee had to carry out some of its activities virtually. Thus, we can look into expanding virtual engagement by the Committee with Member States and others, based on the feedback we get from relevant stakeholders.

To conclude, we affirm the UAE’s commitment to upholding international peace and security, and we look forward to supporting the work of the Chair, the Committee, and the broader UN system in combatting the proliferation of WMDs among non-state actors.