Lessons on Successful Assistance Matchmaking for Weapons Nonproliferation

Abstract

Many states require technical assistance to fulfill their obligations under a range of treaties, conventions, resolutions, and other international instruments to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Towards that end, the United Nations 1540 Committee has a mandate to match country requests for assistance with appropriate providers for implementing efforts to meet the obligations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004).1 Unfortunately, the volume and disparate nature of requests for assistance have resulted in the 1540 Committee struggling to establish effective assistance partnerships. Gaps in nonproliferation assistance exist despite 1540 efforts and those of other assistance mechanisms, such as the G7 Global Partnership. This research project aims to identify best practices for establishing assistance partnerships in order to craft recommendations for improving 1540 processes. This study begins with a brief overview of the 1540 Committee and why assistance partnerships are a priority for preventing WMD proliferation. In practice, we have several measures to improve this process.