Global Security Newswire

A panel established to oversee nations' implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1540 is expected to visit Washington in September, the U.S. State Department announced this week (see GSN, April 27).

The 2004 resolution obligates U.N. member states to put in place measures to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and their modes of delivery.

The panel and accompanying specialists on September 12 will have the opportunity to "gain a better understanding of how the United States government implements its obligations under the resolution," the State Department said in a press release.

"During the visit, the committee and its Group of Experts will be briefed on U.S. efforts to implement the resolution, including: U.S. laws and regulations related to prohibiting the illicit transfer of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related materials; enforcement of these laws and regulations; and measures to prevent proliferation -- including export controls, security and financial measures, border controls, and other measures," according to the release.

The Obama administration will provide the visitors with briefings and tours of a number of Washington-area sites in order to help them "gain a better understanding of U.S. domestic implementation activities," the State Department said (U.S. State Department release, July 18).