Statement by H.E. Ambassador UMETSU Shigeru, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Open Briefing for Member States and International, Regional and Subregional Organizations by the Security Council Committee Established Pursuant to Resolution 1540

Mr. Chair.
 
Let me first extend my appreciation to Madam Nakamitsu for her opening statement and to the Chair for his introductory update.
 
Japan attaches great importance to the implementation of the resolution 1540 as it further strengthens international non-proliferation efforts, including in Asia. Twenty years after its adoption, preventing the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery remains critical, and this resolution and this Committee continue to play a significant role.
 
We commend the Committee’s recent work to promote the implementation of the resolution by Member States and hope to see a further strengthening of such efforts. The Group of Experts has proven very useful in enriching and enhancing the Committee’s discussions and initiatives. We look forward to the Group’s continued active contribution.
 
We would like to express our congratulations to the new South African expert for his recent appointment, and we hope that the Committee can fill the remaining vacancy as Japan nominated two strong candidates in the ongoing nomination process. As Japan has been contributing to the Committee and related program, we will continue to spare no efforts to support its work, including the Group of Experts.
 
Japan has faithfully implemented resolution 1540 by enacting and enforcing relevant domestic laws and regulations while providing assistance to Member States and the UN.
 
In 2017, we contributed approximately 1 million USD to the UN Trust Fund, thereby supporting the first-ever Regional Coordinator for Asia stationed in Bangkok, as well as organizing various workshops.

Most recently, Japan co-hosted regional workshops in Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, and co-organized a peer review meeting by Singapore and the Philippines this year. Furthermore, Japan has been holding the Asia Senior-Level Talks on Non-Proliferation and Asian Export Control Seminar to build up export control capabilities.

Japan also appreciates the initiative by the 1540 Committee, especially training courses for PoCs co-hosted by China in June and by Mozambique in this November.
 
Japan convened a Security Council meeting on "Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation" last March under our Presidency of the Council, during which we expressed our renewed commitment to this resolution.

Before concluding my remarks, let me reiterate Japan’s firm commitment to enhance the implementation of resolution 1540.

I thank you.