Overview

The Resolution 1540 online training course is an initiative by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs to promote awareness and understanding of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004).

Resolution 1540 (2004) is a decision of the Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter affirming that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The resolution is significant as a legally binding instrument, which adds illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, their means of delivery and related materials, as a new dimension of proliferation and recognizes the risks posed by non-State actors, including terrorists, of acquiring such weapons or related materials.

As other international legal instruments mostly govern the activities of States, Resolution 1540 (2004) addresses the threat posed by non-State actors by explicitly having States refrain from providing any support for proliferation-related activities to such actors, thus preventing their involvement in such illicit activities.

The resolution obligates all States to establish various types of domestic controls as well as other effective measures to prevent the proliferation of such weapons and their related materials.

It is required that States remain keenly aware of what the obligations under the resolution are, keep vigilant of increasing risks and close existing legal loopholes to ensure comprehensive and universal implementation.

What will participants learn?

The Resolution 1540 training course serves as a resource pool to provide foundational knowledge and expertise. It is designed to strengthen the capacity of those already working towards the implementation of resolution 1540 and increase awareness and understanding of a wider range of audiences. The online course provides an in-depth introduction to the topic through 6 thematic modules delivered in an interactive manner.