A TWO-DAY discussion to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) has concluded at Heritage Park in Honiara. Wednesday.
Government officials from relevant ministries discussed with representatives of the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament, UNRCPD, in Asia and the Pacific, and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs,UNODA.
Discussions focused on assisting Solomon Islands to prepare first national report to the 1540 Committee of the National Security.
Resolution 1540 was adopted by the Security Council at its 4956th meeting in 2004, and aimed at peace and disarmament for all UN state members.
Speaking during the opening, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Permanent Secretary Collin Beck said Solomon Islands welcomed the resolution calling for international dialogue and cooperation.
“Solomon Islands is a peaceful country and has adopted Resolution 1540 well.
Solomon Islands does not develop, acquire, manufacture or transport nuclear, chemical or biological weapons,” he said.
Beck said however, the resolution need to be reformed to include some issues Solomon Islands is facing.
“We must deal with the WWII wreckage and oil that were dumped in Solomon Islands waters.
“This often raised but there is no deliberate attempt to address this issue,” Beck said.
He added the report should include border issues to strengthen the border agreements.
He further stated that report should also include strengthening of infrastructure such biosecurity to withstand the transboundary impact from other countries that threatens fisheries and the ocean.
“Solomon Islands Government will continue to render its utmost support towards international initiatives to reduce the threat posed by proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, their means of delivery and related components.
“Solomon Islands will also continue to participate and contribute to ensure that the Pacific region is free from such threats,” Mr Beck said.
Representative of UNODA/UNRCPD Aaron Junhoung Yoo said the process of drafting a report to submit to the Security Council serves two major purposes.
“One is of course to inform the Security Council as a responsible member of the United Nations, fulfilling the obligations under the Security Council resolution, thereby contributing to the international non-proliferation efforts.
“However, this process further contributes to each Member State taking the opportunity to review where it is, what the implementation gaps are and how to improve its security mechanisms to prevent the nightmare scenario of Weapons of Mass Destruction, WMD, terrorism, wherever it may happen,” Yoo said.
Representative of the 1540 Committee Kiwakao Tanaka said the initial report will be an opportunity to highlight how Solomon Islands is successfully implementing the resolution’s obligations alongside areas that may require strengthening.
The discussion is funded from the Government of Japan’s contribution to the UN Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities.
