UNSCR 1540

Resolution 1540 (2004) was adopted by the United Nations Security Council to address the threat of proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and their means of delivery. The resolution requires all states to undertake several obligations to prevent the spread of such weapons and their means of delivery, including refraining from providing any form of support to non-state actors attempting to develop or use them, adopting and enforcing appropriate effective laws to prohibit non-state actors from manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, developing, transporting, transferring, or using such weapons and their means of delivery, and taking and enforcing effective measures to establish domestic controls to prevent their proliferation.

Furthermore, the resolution encourages all states to promote universal adoption and full implementation of multilateral treaties aimed at preventing proliferation, renew and fulfill their commitment to multilateral cooperation, and promote dialogue and cooperation on non-proliferation to address the threat posed by the proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery. It also encourages states to work with and inform industry and the public regarding their obligations under such laws. The resolution establishes a Committee of the Security Council to monitor the implementation of this resolution and calls on all states to cooperate in countering the threat of proliferation.