New Delhi (India), February 25: India, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), is hosting a landmark Capacity Building Programme focused on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540) and Strategic Trade Controls. The programme, which runs from February 25-27, 2025, is taking place at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics, Palasamudram.
UNSCR 1540, adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council in April 2004, addresses the threat posed by the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, as well as their delivery systems, by non-state actors. The resolution mandates all UN member states to establish domestic controls to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and related materials.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the programme will involve 24 government experts from eight countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The event will feature speakers and experts from the UNSC 1540 Committee, UNODA, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention, the Department of Biotechnology, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, and the Ministry of External Affairs’ Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division. Indian industry experts will also share their implementation experiences and best practices regarding UNSCR 1540 and strategic trade controls.
The programme is a significant step in reaffirming India’s strong commitment to non-proliferation and its active role in strengthening international non-proliferation frameworks. It also serves as a demonstration of India’s contribution to multilateral efforts aimed at ensuring global peace and security, particularly through disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives.
India’s long-standing commitment to universal and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament, as well as the prevention of the proliferation of WMDs and their delivery systems, continues to guide its engagement with relevant multilateral forums and partner countries.
The UNODA supports global disarmament goals, providing essential organizational and substantive support through various bodies, including the General Assembly and its First Committee, the Disarmament Commission, and the Conference on Disarmament. It promotes transparency, dialogue, and confidence-building measures in disarmament, fostering regional efforts to curb the spread of conventional arms and other WMDs.
This capacity-building initiative highlights India’s ongoing leadership in promoting disarmament and international security, reaffirming its commitment to a safer and more secure world.