The Un-Nato Cooperation In Implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540

Abstract

This article covers a blanket area of cooperation between two international organisations, i.e. the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, that both are committed to the fight against terrorism according to the United Nations Security Council’s resolution 1540. The United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 was adopted unanimously on 28 April 2004, regarding the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Being the principal reference in the fight against nuclear terrorism, the resolution 1540 establishes the obligations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter for all Member States to develop and enforce appropriate legal and regulatory measures against the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons and their means of delivery, in particular, to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction to non-state actors. The implementation of this resolution was entrusted to individual states and to international organisations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Customs Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the World Health Organization, etc., multilateral organisations, such as the OSCE in Europe, non-governmental organisations, such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, regional and sub-regional organisations. Regional and subregional organisations play a very important role in implementing the resolution 1540, as it was the call from the side of the UN Secretary-General, who noted on cooperation between regional and other organisations, regional and sub-regional institutions have over time become accepted and important partners in assisting the United Nations, and other international institutions in combating threats to peace and security. Taking into consideration that NATO considers terrorism as a global threat that knows no border, nationality or religion, it could be seen as a helpful counterpart in this fight, however, the reality shows that the UN does not refer for NATO help. The author of the article explores the limits of cooperation between both organisations that are committed to the maintenance of peace and security globally or at regional level.