"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Statement Supporting National Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540

[Place] Manila
[Date] August 2, 2007
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

The Chairman of the ASEAN Regional Forum, on behalf of the ARF participants, issues the following statement:

Recalling previous ARF commitments, in particular the Jakarta Statement on Nonproliferation, adopted by the 11th ARF on 2 July 2004, to prevent the proliferation in all its aspects of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery and to support the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540,

Acknowledging the useful exchange of views during the ARF Workshop on UNSCR 1540 Implementation on 13-15 February 2007 in San Francisco as well as the UN Seminar on Implementing UNSCR 1540 in Asia and the Pacific on July 12-13, 2006 in Beijing,

Taking note of UNSCR 1673 (2006) as well as the report of the UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) (1540 Committee) of April 2006, which, inter alia, encourages States, if and as appropriate, to provide additional information on national implementation as an ongoing process, including, for instance, the preparation of plans for addressing remaining measures to be taken to fully implement the resolution, taking into account the analysis provided by the 1540 Committee, and notes the important role of regional organizations towards experience-sharing and lessons learned in areas covered by UNSCR 1540,

Acknowledging that implementation of Resolution 1540, including reporting, remains a national responsibility, on the basis of national legislation, arrangements and regulations;

Determined to continue full co-operation with relevant international organizations, including the 1540 Committee, as recommended in UNSCR 1673 (2006) and wishing for ARF participants to serve as a positive example for the international community,

Noting the willingness of ARF participating States to fully implement resolution 1540 at national, regional and global levels,

Recognizing that some ARF participating States may be in need of assistance in implementing the provisions of resolution 1540 within their territories.

ARF participants will endeavour to:

1. Provide, as and when appropriate, additional information to the 1540 Committee on national implementation as part of the ongoing process of UNSCR 1540 implementation, including, inter alia, in the form of a road map or action plan, as recommended in the 1540 Committee Report (S/2006/257);

2. Work toward practical capacity-building activities and cooperation in the ARF region to help participants meet their obligations under UNSCR 1540 and other WMD non-proliferation commitments, in full cooperation with the 1540 Committee, by, inter alia, promoting lessons learned, sharing experiences and facilitating the identification of assistance needs for national implementation.

3. Remain seized of the matter in the ARF in the future and may hold further exchanges of views on the implementation of UNSCR 1540.