Deputy Secretary-General’s Remarks to open debate of the Security Council on non-proliferation (Implementation of Resolution 1540)

Let me recognize that in its first ten years, this landmark resolution has accomplished a great deal. Resolution 1540 has helped us make important inroads against the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The resolution has set in motion a great number of steps by Member States. Over 30,000 measures and actions by States implementing the resolution have been reported to the 1540 Committee. This of course only tells part of the story. There have also been setbacks and disappointments, including the recent use of chemical weapons in Syria. However, through vigorous diplomatic and administrative action, and by agreement, over 90 per cent of Syria’s chemical weapons have been removed even as the conflict has intensified.