A set of activities aimed at strengthening the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) was carried out in the Dominican Republic from 28 to 29 March 2017 as part of UNLIREC’s support to States in the region. These activities – made possible thanks to the financial contribution by the government of Canada – encompass the adoption of internal regulations in accordance with the provisions established in the Resolution, as reflected in the National Plan of Action that the Dominican Republic presented in November 2015 to the 1540 Committee.
Within this context, UNLIREC continued its technical and legal assistance related to the draft of ‘WMD Non-Proliferation Bill of Law’. UNLIREC’s technical expert was accompanied by a former member of the Group of Experts of the 1540 Committee who provided technical support in the matter. In attendance were 15 national stakeholders and legal drafters from relevant institutions (Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Energy and Mines, and Environmental Ministry) who engaged in a second lively round of discussions to identify specific issues to be covered through subsidiary regulations, as well as a roadmap for the development of these regulations. In addition, the control list to be annexed to the regulations and the definition of national authority roles and responsibilities were highlighted as priorities.
These activities represent a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to strengthen the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) and will enable the Dominican Republic to establish concrete objectives towards preventing WMD proliferation.