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New York, 7 May 2014  Your Excellency Minister Yun Byung-se, Thank you very much for organizing this open debate on a topic that is of particular importance to my delegation. I would also like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General for his statement. Let me also welcome the adoption by this Council of the Presidential Statement, which reaffirms the undiminished importance of Resolution 1540 a decade after its adoption. Lithuania associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the European Union. Terrorism continues to pose increasing threats toindividual countries and international community as a whole. Motivated by extreme ideologies, characterized by diffused organizational structures and having no attachment to a clearly defined support base, modern terrorist groups and illicit networks turn to indiscriminate violence of magnitude not previously imagined. To achieve their aims these groups have increasingly sought to capitalize on deep-seated and justified fears associated with possible harm caused by nuclear, chemical and biological materials if used to attack nuclear facilities, poison water supplies or render entire areas uninhabitable.

The traditional WMD regimes were established to address non-proliferation by States and, as threats evolved, they were no longer sufficient to deal with this new international security environment. By adopting Resolution 1540, the Council aimed to fill these emerging gaps by establishing universally applicable measures aimed at preventing weapons proliferation to non-state actors and ensuring that states take practical steps to prevent such proliferation through adoption of effective national legislation and establishing domestic controls. The resolution also established a universal means by which to create export control standards outside multilateral export control regimes.

Since the adoption of Resolution 1540, Lithuania has been its consistent and dedicated supporter. Through a number of workshops held in Lithuania we have sought to focus on the main elements of prevention, detection and response to illicit trafficking of chemical, biological and nuclear materials. Lithuania recognizes the need for universal and comprehensive reporting under the resolution. We presented our initial report on the implementation of Resolution 1540 in 2004 and continued to provide regular comprehensive updates, most recently in November 2013.

Mr. President,

Let me now focus on strengthening global nuclear security, as a crucial element of achieving the goals set by Resolution 1540. 

The Hague Communiqué adopted at the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit reaffirmed that strengthening nuclear security and preventing terrorists, criminals and all other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials remained one of the most important challenges in the years to come. It also welcomed the significant work undertaken by the 1540 Committee in strengthening nuclear security.

At The Hague, Lithuania joined a statement on Promoting Full and Universal Implementation of Resolution 1540, expressing commitment to its full and universal implementation and undertaking to consider a number of measures to this end. We also cosponsored the Initiative on Strengthening Nuclear Security Implementation, which is a significant step to ensure continuous improvement of the nuclear security regime worldwide. During the previous Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Lithuania also announced its support for two important initiatives - Activity and Cooperation to Counter Nuclear Smuggling by Jordan and Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres by the United States.

Established in April 2012, the Nuclear Security Centre of Excellence in Lithuania is working towards increasing capacities of national and regional experts to counter nuclear smuggling and improve nuclear security culture. Over 400 experts have been trained so far, including through projects for officials from Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia and Moldova. Lithuania is committed to expand its international cooperation in this field in the years to come.

Lithuania believes that all would benefit from more cohesion and communitarian approach in nuclear security. We are fully transparent in meeting all necessary nuclear safety and security requirements. Living in an interconnected world we want to see more transparency and cooperation among states, especially with neighbours developing nuclear facilities. Any planned or existing nuclear projects in any state must be implemented, via open, transparent and honest consultations with all affected countries and by constructively settling transnational issues and disputes.

Mr. President,

Ensuring continued engagement of all States in implementing the goals of Resolution 1540 should be the Council’s key objective. Whether through outreach, encouraging submission and updating of national reports, or through matchmaking between States seeking assistance and States able to provide it, the resolution must continue to be a useful tool for all States. At the same time, it is important to be very clear about what the States are required to produce and how their cooperation contributes to implementing the aims of the Resolution. Overburdening States with numerous and complex reporting obligations will only result in more reporting fatigue.

It is also important for the Panel of Experts of the 1540 Committee to continue country visits and active participation in non-proliferation related events. Furthermore, the Committee should make further use of possible synergies with other Council bodies dealing with non-proliferation issues. We would encourage closer links between the 1540 Group of Experts, Panels of Experts of Committees 1718 on DPRK and 1737 in Iran as well as Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), in particular through making sure that all Council’s activities on non-proliferation are sufficiently reflected in their outreach. Finally, although the Comprehensive Review of the Resolution 1540 is due in 2016, it is important to start preparations early, in order to ensure an inclusive and productive process.

Let me finish by expressing our appreciation for the efforts by the Republic of Korea, as Chair of the 1540 Committee, in strengthening the implementation of the resolution and its universal application.

Thank you.