Towards the 2016 Comprehensive Review

The document evaluates the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540, focusing on the tools of the 1540 Committee, the role of the group of experts, and the challenges faced by developing regions, particularly Africa. It argues for a shift toward strategic, intra-governmental processes, increased engagement with the private sector and civil society, and the adoption of a 'CBRN security culture' to complement legal obligations.

• The 1540 Committee uses a standardised matrix to examine state reports without singling out individual states, though the underlying legislative database has not been updated since 2008.
• The Committee's assistance function is limited by a lack of active matchmaking between states requesting and offering assistance, as members often prefer to follow their own political agendas.
• Implementation of Resolution 1540 in Africa has seen growing political support, with the African Union adopting a 2013 decision to promote the resolution, though 18 African states had not submitted an initial report as of September 2015.
• The 'Beyond Boundaries' or 'Dual Benefit' model, used in the Caribbean (CARICOM) and Central America (SICA), integrates WMD non-proliferation with broader human security, poverty, and development goals.
• The document distinguishes between Type 1 effective practices (sector-oriented technical guidance from IGOs) and Type 2 practices (strategic intra-governmental coordination processes).
• The 'Wiesbaden Process' serves as a forum for the private sector to share effective practices and inform the 1540 Committee about implementation challenges and technological trends.
• The 1540 Committee is described as having 'strategic blindness' regarding civil society, primarily limiting interactions to one-way awareness raising rather than strategic partnerships.
• A 'CBRN security culture'—an assembly of beliefs and behaviours—is proposed as a critical risk mitigation tool to complement legal obligations, particularly in research and academic institutions.
• The document recommends the creation of a civil society monitoring regime for Resolution 1540, similar to the BioWeapons Monitor, to increase transparency and effectiveness.

APA

Kasprzyk, N., Shadung, M., & Stott, N. (2015). Towards the 2016 Comprehensive Review. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono191.pdf

Chicago

Kasprzyk, Nicolas, Mothepa Shadung, and Noël Stott. Towards the 2016 Comprehensive Review. Institute for Security Studies, 2015. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono191.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kasprzyk |first1=Nicolas |last2=Shadung |first2=Mothepa |last3=Stott |first3=Noël |title=Towards the 2016 Comprehensive Review |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=2015 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono191.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kasprzyk2015towards, author = {Kasprzyk, Nicolas and Shadung, Mothepa and Stott, Noël}, title = {{Towards the 2016 Comprehensive Review}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2015}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono191.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }