OSCE role in preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in focus at meeting in Vienna

Representatives of the 56 OSCE participating States on 13 July 2011 discussed how to best r implement  U.N. Security Council Resolution 1540, which obliges signatories to take measures against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. The meeting discussions focused on the outcomes of a workshop organized in January by the OSCE and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

The OSCE is working to help its participating States implement the Resolution by: assisting in drafting national action plans, preparing training courses on legislation and policies related to non-proliferation, establishing points of contact and creating a roster of experts.

UNODA-OSCE co-operation was a theme at the meeting. A UNODA representative outlined planned measures, including a Memorandum of Understanding.

Representatives of Serbia and Belarus presented their countries' efforts to tackle the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and discussed how the OSCE could be of further assistance in this work.