THE BOYS' BRIGADE

ODA provides substantive support to the 1540 Committee and its experts. In resolution 1540 (2004), the Security Council decided that all States shall refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, and requires all States to adopt and enforce appropriate effective laws to this effect. The resolution also requires all States to establish various types of domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of such weapons.
In April 2006, the Security Council, by its resolution 1673 (2006), extended the mandate of the 1540 Committee for two years. Resolution 1810 (2008) adopted by the Security Council in April 2008 further extended the mandate of the Committee until 25 April 2011 and tasked it to intensify its efforts to promote the full implementation by all States of resolution 1540 (2004).
ODA contributes to the Committee's activities in the area of outreach, dialogue and cooperation. With the objective of promoting the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), ODA organizes regional and sub-regional seminars and workshops using voluntary contributions by Member States and the European Union. The first phase of these regional and sub-regional seminars and workshops took place during 2006 – 2007 and focused on raising awareness of the requirements of the resolution, enhancing cooperation among participating States and sharing experiences and lessons learned. In 2008, ODA started a new round of capacity building regional workshops focusing on capacity-building in the areas of border and export controls. During 2008-2009 five regional workshops were held.

More information is available at the 1540 Commitee website.