Countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Asia Pacific
Co-Chairs
US CSCAP and CSCAP Vietnam.
Considerations
In 2004, the CSCAP WMD Study Group was initiated as a vehicle for raising regional consciousness on important issues related to WMD proliferation. Its primary focus is the creation of an Asia Pacific Handbook and Action Plan to Prevent WMD Proliferation.
The threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is a growing international security concern. At global forums, such as the United Nations and the Group of Eight leading industrialised powers, and regional meetings, such as the APEC Leaders Summit, ASEAN summits and related multilateral meetings, leaders routinely call for greater counter proliferation and non-proliferation efforts. International action has been galvanised by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which called on member nations to take concrete action to help stem the proliferation of WMD. In addition, the U.S. has organised a "coalition of the willing" through the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) to supplement national and international efforts in this field. Study continues on ways to close loopholes in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and shut down the international black market in nuclear materials, components, and know-how. Finally, the crisis surrounding North Korea's alleged nuclear weapons programs provides an immediate challenge to the Asia-Pacific region when considering the WMD threat.
Specific agenda
In biannual meetings, this Study Group is also examining regional attitudes toward the Proliferation Security Initiative and other counter-proliferation efforts and regimes, the prospects for the Six-Party Talks and potential means for facilitating the Korean Peninsula denuclearization process, regional threat perceptions and security outlooks, missile proliferation, and ballistic missile defense.
Outcomes
To further develop specific recommendations for regional governments' consideration and for inclusion into the overall Action Plan.
Meetings
This Study Group has held the following meetings.
This study group has been working on a Handbook on Preventing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Asia-Pacific. To view the Draft Handbook (as at June 2010) click here.
11th Meeting: 2-3 July 2010, Singapore
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10th Meeting: 7-8 December 2009, Hanoi, Vietnam
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9th Meeting: 29-30 June 2009, Beijing, China
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8th Meeting: 23-24 January 2009, Bangkok, Thailand
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7th Meeting: 26-27 May 2008, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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6th Meeting: 9-10 December 2007, Jakarta, Indonesia.
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5th Meeting: 11-13 February 2007, San Francisco, USA.
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4th Meeting: 27-29 November 2006, Danang, Vietnam.
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3rd Meeting: 26-27 March 2006, Singapore.
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2nd Meeting: 2-3 December 2005, Manila Philippines.
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1st Meeting: 27-28 May 2005, Singapore.
Download the Chairmen's report.