1

General Assembly First Committee

Topic B: Preventing Terrorists from Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction

“The most powerful military in the world cannot invade, kill or capture a network, or destroy

every loose weapon on the planet. The best response to this network of terror is to build a

network of our own--a network of like-minded countries and organizations that pools resources,

information, ideas, and power. Taking on the radical fundamentalists alone isn’t necessary, it

isn’t smart, and it won’t succeed..”1--Vice-President Joe Biden

Terrorism is the reality of the modern world. Violence against civilians by non-state actors is

occurring at alarming rates, pushing the global community to come up with new measures to

combat the growing threat of terrorism. Given the staggering amount of damage to property,

security, and the devastating volume of loss of human life, terrorists assemble through the

deployment of both conventional and non-conventional weapons. The ability to prevent

terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) is of paramount concern to the

international community. WMDs are generally understood to be nuclear, radiological, chemical,

or biological weapons capable of causing death or significant harm to large populations, heavy

damage to natural and manmade structures, or the biosphere. Such weapons are the subject of

several international disarmament agreements and treaties, which seek to limit their proliferation

and use by Member States, and make access to such weapons more difficult, but not impossible

for terrorists and other such non-state actors.

Background:

United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1540, 1673, 1810, & 1977

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540 on 28 April 2004 to

recognize that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons are a threat to

international security.2 Member States are to abstain from providing support to non-State actors

from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using

1 Joseph R. Biden, “Who Needs the United Nations? We All Do,”

<https://www.ncafp.org/articles/06%20U%20S%20-UN%20Relations%202006.pdf>. 2 United Nations Security Council. “United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.”

http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/.

2

nuclear, chemical/biological weapons and their means of delivery.3 Resolution 1540 places

responsibility on Member States to implement internal legislative measures to ensure that the

proliferation of nuclear, chemical/biological weapons does not occur. Additionally, the means of

delivery, and the establishment of domestic controls over related materials to prevent their illicit

trafficking must be implemented into internal legislative efforts to adhere to the resolution.

The resolution complies with several multilateral treaties that are attempting to prevent the

proliferation of WMDs and their implementation. Furthermore, the resolution does not interfere

with the obligations of those who are a party to the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention, or the Biological Weapons Convention. In the years

following its passage, the Security Council adopted other resolutions to further strengthen and

extend its mandate. Resolutions 1673, 1810, and 1977all deal with the original mandate of 1540.

In 2006, the Security Council passed Resolution 1673, which officially extended the mandate of

the 1540 Committee for two additional years as well as intensifying the efforts for all Member

States to implement the resolution.

The 1540 Committee through the passage of Resolution 1810, via the Security Council,

continued to strengthen its role to facilitate technical assistance by fully engaging in offers and

requests for assistance, thereby strengthening its function as a clearinghouse. Moreover, the

Security Council requested that the Committee consider undergoing a comprehensive review to

gather information about the current status of the resolution’s application. The third and final

resolution that the Security Council passed that coincides with 1540 is Resolution 1977.

Resolution 1977 reaffirms the notion that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical/biological

weapons and their means of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security; it

further extended the mandate for a further ten years because it is a long-term endeavor to

implement Resolution 1540.

Preventative Measures and Combating Terrorism

One of the most common proposals to help prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs is the

reduction and non-proliferation of WMDs in line with existing international arms agreements.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), is the primary legal instrument

on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The treaty outlines non-proliferation goals and

the reduction of nuclear stockpiles with the eventual goal of disarmament by the nuclear weapon

3 Ibid.

3

Member States.4 Disarmament and non-proliferation agreements and their implementation occur

at the national, regional, and international level. Agreements establishing nuclear-weapon-free-

zones (NWFZ) are currently being implemented by Latin America, the Caribbean, the South

Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Africa.5 By creating and upholding these NWFZ, regions are able to

alleviate the risk of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. The disarmament of

nuclear stockpiles eliminates much of the threat of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons because

it is highly unlikely terror cells have the capacity to create and deploy a nuclear weapon without

stealing such a weapon from a nuclear capable Member State.

Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions

Modern technology makes it possible to synthesize and deploy a bioweapon.6 The Convention

on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological

(Biological) and Toxin Weapons (BTWC) prohibits Member States who seek to develop,

produce, and stockpile biological weapons. However, BTWC does not prohibit the ownership of

biological agents and toxins, but rather bans certain usages of these agents, including the

retention of large quantities of agents without proper justification.7 Combined with the lack of a

verification mechanism under the BTWC, there is a potential for misuse of biological agents,

which could result in the acquisition of such agents by terrorists. It is necessary for Member

States to efficiently implement the BTWC in their national laws and carefully enforce the

prescribed defense mechanisms in order to prevent terrorists and non-state actors from acquiring

biological weapons or the agents necessary to develop such weapons.8

Chemical weapons are governed by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,

Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC), have

many of the same risks as biological weapons for exploitation and illegal use by terrorists. The

CWC is administered by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),

4 United Nations, Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,

<http://www.un.org/en/conf/npt/2005/npttreaty.html>. 5 “Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zones,” <https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/nwfz/>.

6 Wil S. Hylton, “How Ready Are We For Bioterrorism?” <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/magazine/how-

ready-are-we-for-bioterrorism.html?_r=0>. 7 United Nations, Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological

(Biological) and Toxin Weapons, <http://www.opbw.org/convention/conv.html>. 8 Nicolas Isla, “Challenges to the BTWC, and Some Reasons for Optimism,” <http://www.inesap.org/bulletin-

28/challenges-btwc-and-some-reasons-optimism>.

4

and establishes prohibitions on the proliferation of chemical weapons. It outlines a mechanism

for the destruction and or monitored conversion of chemical weapons and related production

facilities.9 They also oversee investigative missions into the existence and use of chemical

weapons within Member States.

Current Issues:

Border Security, Disarmament, and the Path Towards Global Security

The main strategies for preventing terrorists from acquiring WMDs are adherence to the

disarmament commitments in international agreements, increased border security, and

information sharing on best practices for combating terrorism. Some Member States criticize the

NPT for its creation of an us-vs-them mentality on nuclear weapons. They believe that

continuing to pursue disarmament within the confines of the NPT is not the most effective

disarmament strategy as several Member States are not party to nor uphold the tenets of the

NPT.10 During its 70th session, the General Assembly passed a resolution outlining further

approaches for the acceleration of complete nuclear disarmament.11

In the field of biological and chemical weapons, the 8th review conference for the BTWC

provides an opportunity for Member States to renew their efforts to safeguard the potential

supplies for bio-weapons, as well as promote the best practices in the implementation of

strategies to ensure peaceful uses of biological agents. Chemical weapons are the primary threat

to international peace and security currently, due largely to the failure of some Member States to

reduce their reserves of chemical weapons, which have since fallen into the hands of terrorists.

Chemical weapons do not require particularly complex distribution mechanisms and can easily

be deployed by knowledgeable actors. The international community must continue to implement

border security measures to prevent the illicit transfer and sale of chemical and biological agents

to terrorists, and implement the strategic frameworks provided in the BTWC and CWC to aid in

such endeavors.

Regional Security in Syria, Iraq, and the Islamic State

9 United Nations, Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical

Weapons and on their Destruction, <https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/download-the-cwc/>. 10

“Speakers Express Outrage in First Committee at Present-Day Chemical Weapons Use, as Some Stress Need to

Avert Acquisition by Non-State Actors,” <http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/gadis3530.doc.htm>. 11

United Nations, A/RES/70/51, <http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/51>.

5

Despite the OPCW’s reported 90 percent reduction in global stockpiles of chemical weapons, the

use of chemical weapons against civilian populations is occurring, by both State and non-state

actors.12 Throughout the current conflict in Syria, a number of chemical weapons attacks are

carried out against Syrian civilians. Investigations into the attacks sought to determine if the

attacks originated from the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad or non-state actors

within the country. The UN reports did not definitively place blame on the Syrian government,

but did question the timeline of the attacks.

The reports indicate that it was unlikely that non-state actors within Syria who were responsible

because they did not acquire chemical weapons from the Syrian government.13 Syria contends

that they informed the UN and other entities that terrorists possessed and could deploy chemical

weapons within the state since the beginning of the ongoing conflict in 2011. However, they

believe the UN did not take necessary steps to prevent the use of chemical weapons by terrorists,

and groups including Al-Qaida and the Islamic State (ISIL).14 Syria blames terrorist

organizations for the 2014 chemical weapons attacks in Talmenes, Al Tamanah, and Kafr Zita,

and claim that they would never use chemical weapons on their civilians.15 Much of Syria’s

stockpile of chemical weapons were eliminated in coordination with the OPCW following

Syria’s ascension to the CWC in 2014. many Member States believe the Assad regime

underreported their munitions and that there are chemical weapons stored within Syria, creating a

risk for the acquisition and deployment of these weapons by terrorist groups fighting within the

State.16

The concern over ISIL’s WMD deployment capacity is growing. However, the deployment of

chemical weapons requires proper equipment, materials, and supply-chain access in order to

produce enough of a chemical agent to pose a threat. Moreover, ISIL’s attacks and capacities

12

“The Chemical Weapons Ban Facts and Figures,” <https://www.opcw.org/news-publications/publications/facts-

and-figures/#c1920>. 13

Carla Stea, “Syria: UN Mission Report Confirms that “Opposition” Rebels Used Chemical Weapons against

Civilians and Government Forces,” <http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-un-mission-report-confirms-that-

opposition-rebels-used-chemical-weapons-against-civilians-and-government-forces/5363139>. 14

“Divergent Paths Emerge in First Committee on Ways to Achieve Outer Space Security, Safety, Sustainability,

through Legally or Non-Legally Binding Pacts,” <http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/gadis3532.doc.htm>. 15

“Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2235 (2015), Establishing Mechanism to Identify Perpetrators Using Chemical weapons in Syria,” <http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12001.doc.htm>. 16

“Speakers Express Outrage in First Committee at Present-Day Chemical Weapons Use.”

6

underscore the need for proper border security amongst Member States to prevent ISIL’s

continued access to their supply-chain and the proliferation of new weapons.17 It is necessary for

all States to renew their commitment to the disarmament of WMDs to prevent rogue groups from

acquiring such weapons. No State is impervious to infiltration by terrorists, and vigilance is

necessary to prevent the needless loss of human life.

Future Outlook:

Globalization and increased access to information are dangerous in the hands of terrorists.

Terrorist organizations can use telecommunications and Internet resources to recruit new

members with advanced technological and scientific skill sets, gain information on how to create

WMDs, and coordinate and orchestrate attacks. While these realities present new challenges to

efforts to combat international terrorism, they also provide Member States with increased

security and communication opportunities, which they must utilize in their concerted efforts to

promote international peace and security. Increasing border control and security over biological

and chemical agents that are used to create WMDs are just one way Member States can decrease

the threat of terrorists acquiring WMDs. They must continue to follow disarmament strategies

and reduce the availability of ready-made WMDs in the pursuit of a safer world.

17

“Could ISIL go nuclear?” <http://www.nato.int/docu/Review/2015/ISIL/ISIL-Nuclear-Chemical-Threat-Iraq-

Syria/EN/index.htm>.

7

Focus Questions:

1. What conventions, declarations, treaties, or agreements has your state signed or ratified

concerning this topic?

2. What internal efforts has your state made to implement the major provisions of Security

Council Resolution 1540?

3. Does your state specific concerns with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons? If so, what are they?

4. What role has your state played throughout the Syrian conflict and its situation involving

the use of chemical/biological weapons?

5. Is your state having issues with non-state actors such as ISIL? If so, how has your state

dealt with such a group or entity?

8

Works Cited

Biden, Joseph R. “Who Needs the United Nations? We All Do.” U.S.-UN Relations. National

Committee on Foreign Policy, Aug. 2006. Web. 4 Jul. 2016.

<https://www.ncafp.org/articles/06%20U%20S%20-UN%20Relations%202006.pdf>.

“The Chemical Weapons Ban Facts and Figures.” Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical

Weapons. OPCW, n.d. Web. 5 Jun. 2016. <https://www.opcw.org/news-

publications/publications/facts-and-figures/#c1920>.

“Could ISIL go nuclear?” North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO, n.d. Web. 22 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.nato.int/docu/Review/2015/ISIL/ISIL-Nuclear-Chemical-Threat-Iraq-

Syria/EN/index.htm>.

“Divergent Paths Emerge in First Committee on Ways to Achieve Outer Space Security, Safety,

Sustainability, through Legally or Non-Legally Binding Pacts.” United Nations. United

Nations, 23 Oct. 2015. Web. 4 Jun 2016.

<http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/gadis3532.doc.htm>.

Hylton, Wil S. “How Ready Are We For Bioterrorism?” New York Times Magazine. New York

Times, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 22 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/magazine/how-ready-are-we-for-

bioterrorism.html?_r=0>.

“Iraqi officials: ISIS chemical weapons attacks kill child, wound 600.” CBS News. Colombia

Broadcasting System, 12 Mar. 2016. Web. 2 Jul. 2016.

<http://www.cbsnews.com/news/iraqi-officials-isis-chemical-weapons-attacks-kill-child-

wound-600/>.

Isla, Nicolas. “Challenges to the BTWC, and Some Reasons for Optimism.” International

Network of Engineers and Scientists Against Proliferation. INESAP, n.d. Web. 5 Jun.

2016. <http://www.inesap.org/bulletin-28/challenges-btwc-and-some-reasons-optimism>.

9

“Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zones.” United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. UNODA, n.d.

Web. 5 Jun. 2016. <https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/nwfz/>.

“Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2235 (2015), Establishing Mechanism to

Identify Perpetrators Using Chemical weapons in Syria.” United Nations. United Nations,

7 Aug. 2015. Web. 5 Jun. 2016. <http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12001.doc.htm>.

“Speakers Express Outrage in First Committee at Present-Day Chemical Weapons Use, as Some

Stress Need to Avert Acquisition by Non-State Actors.” United Nations. United Nations,

22 Oct. 2015. Web. 4 Jun. 2016. <http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/gadis3530.doc.htm>.

Stea, Carla. “Syria: UN Mission Report Confirms that “Opposition” Rebels Used Chemical

Weapons against Civilians and Government Forces.” Global Research. Centre for

Research on Globalization, 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 5 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-un-mission-report-confirms-that-opposition-rebels-

used-chemical-weapons-against-civilians-and-government-forces/5363139>.

United Nations. A/RES/70/51. United Nations. United Nations, 11 Dec. 2015. Web. 4 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/51>.

United Nations. Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling

of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons. United Nations. United Nations, 10

Apr. 1972. Web. 5 Jun. 2016. <http://www.opbw.org/convention/conv.html>.

United Nations. Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and

Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. Organisation for the Prohibition of

Chemical Weapons. United Nations, 13 Jan. 1993. Web. 5 Jun. 2016.

<https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/download-the-cwc/>.

United Nations. Draft comprehensive convention against international terrorism. United

Nations. United Nations, 12 Aug. 2005. Web. 4 Jun. 2016. <https://documents-dds-

ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/460/57/PDF/N0546057.pdf?OpenElement>.

United Nations. Report of the Ad Hoc Committee established by General Assembly resolution

10

51/210 of 17 December 1996: Sixth Session (28 January-1 February 2002). United

Nations. United Nations, 1 Feb. 2002. Web. 5 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/documents/ga/docs/57/a5737.pdf>.

United Nations. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. United Nations. United

Nations, 12 Jun. 1968. Web. 5 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/en/conf/npt/2005/npttreaty.html>.

United Nations Security Council. “United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.”

http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/.

United Nations Security Council. S/RES/1566 (2004). United Nations Security Council. United

Nations, 8 Oct. 2004. Web. 4 Jun 2016. <https://documents-dds-

ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N04/542/82/PDF/N0454282.pdf?OpenElement>.

Additional Resources

Annan, Kofi. “In larger freedom: towards development, security, and human rights for all.”

United Nations. United Nations, 21 Mar. 2005. Web. 4 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/59/2005>.

Applegarth, Claire. “UN Adopts Nuclear Terrorism Convention; Treaty Seven Years in the

Making.” Arms Control Association. Arms Control Association, 5 May 2005. Web. 4

Jun. 2016. <http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2005_05/NuclearTerrorismConvention>.

Ban, Ki Moon. “The Secretary General: Remarks to the Open Formal Consultation for the

Comprehensive Review of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004).” United

Nations. United Nations, 21 Jun. 2016. Web. 2 Jul. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/pdf/SG%20CR%20Remarks%20-%20Copy.pdf>.

New York Times. New York Times, 26 May 1998. Web. 17 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/26/world/sowing-death-a-special-report-how-japan-germ-

terror-alerted-world.html?pagewanted=1>.

11

Cole, Brendan. “Why have 30,000 Russians joined Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo?”

International Business Times. IBTimes Co, 6 Apr. 2016. Web. 17 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/why-have-30000-russians-joined-japanese-doomsday-cult-

aum-shinrikyo-1553461>.

Early, Brian R. and Mark T. Nance. “Here’s how the U.N. is working to stop terrorists from

getting weapons of mass destruction.” Washington Post. Washington Post Company, 5

May 2016. Web. 14 Jun. 2016. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-

cage/wp/2016/05/03/heres-how-the-u-n-is-working-to-stop-terrorists-from-getting-

weapons-of-mass-destruction/>.

“First Committee Approves Texts on Disarmament Aspects of Outer Space, Weapons of Mass

Destruction, in Voting Pattern Reflecting Complex Security Concerns.” United Nations.

United Nations, 3 Nov. 2015. Web. 4 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/gadis3539.doc.htm>.

Kim, Woo-soo. “Open Consultation on the Comprehensive Review of the Status of

Implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004).” United Nations. United Nations, 22 Jun.

2016. Web. 2 Jul. 2016. <http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/pdf/HR%20Remarks.pdf>.

Lykketoft, Mogens. “Opening Remarks by H.E. Mr Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th

Session of the General Assembly at formal open consultations of the 2016

Comprehensive Review of the implementation of the resolution 1540 (2004).” United

Nations. United Nations, 20 Jun. 2016. Web. 2 Jul. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/pdf/GA%20President%20CR%20Opening%20Remarks

%20-%20Copy.pdf>.

“Syria chemical attack: Key UN findings.” BBC. British Broadcasting Company, 30 Jan. 2014.

Web. 5 Jun. 2016. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24130181>.

United Nations. International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

12

United Nations. United Nations, 13 Apr. 2005. Web. 4 Jun. 2016.

<https://treaties.un.org/doc/db/Terrorism/english-18-15.pdf>.

United Nations. International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. United

Nations. United Nations, 15 Dec. 1997. Web. 4 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.un.org/en/sc/ctc/docs/conventions/Conv11.pdf>.

United Nations. International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

United Nations. United Nations, 9 Dec. 1999. Web. 4 Jun. 2016.

<http://www.refworld.org/docid/3dda0b867.html>.

United Nations Security Council. S/RES/1540 (2004). United Nations Security Council. United

Nations, 28 Apr. 2004. Web. 4 Jun 2016.

<http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/1540(2004)>.