OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan’s efforts in non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction was the focus of a two-day expert meeting that started on 7 December 2011 in Bishkek. The event is co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Ministry of Economical Regulation of Kyrgyzstan with support of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the UN 1540 Committee.

UN Security Council Resolution 1540 adopted on 28 April 2004 establishes obligations for all Member States to develop and enforce appropriate legal and regulatory measures against the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and their means of delivery, in particular, to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction to non-state actors, including through modifying the Member States’ internal legislation.

The meeting brought together officials from across Kyrgyzstan’s state authorities, including various ministries, State Customs Service, Border Troops, State Committee on Security, State Agency on Environment Protection, as well representatives from business, civil society and academia.

International experts from UNODA, the UN 1540 Committee, the OSCE, the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre presented the provisions of Resolution 1540 as well as international experience in implementing it. The event is aimed at assisting local counterparts in developing by 2012 the National Action Plan on its implementation.

The event is part of the OSCE’s project to support Kyrgyzstan in the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 in the framework of the OSCE’s activities to combat terrorism.