Research Guides United Nations Office at Geneva Library & Archives

Disarmament: Global Issues

Nonproliferation Export Control Regimes

Nonproliferation Export Control Regimes

Export Control Regimes and Arrangements are voluntary and nonbinding arrangements between major supplier countries, aiming to prevent the proliferation and delivery of WMD related equipments and technology.

The Australia Group (AG)

The AG is an informal forum of countries that, through the harmonisation of export controls, seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.

Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC)

Formally known as the "International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ICOC). Adopted at an international conference in The Hague on 25-26 November, 2002.

 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

Informal political arrangement formed in 1987 to control the proliferation of rocket and unmanned air vehicle systems and components thereof capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of Guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports.

The Wassenaar Arrangement on export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies

The Wassenaar Arrangement has been established in order to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations.

The Zangger Committee

While not formally an export control regime, the Zangger Committee, also known as the "NPT Exporters Committee", essentially contributes to the interpretation of Article III, paragraph 2, of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and thereby offers guidance to all parties to the Treaty.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1540

The UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), requires all states to prevent non-state actors from acquiring nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, their means of delivery, and related materials. To this end, states should adopt and enforce appropriate laws and other effective measures to prevent the proliferation and delivery of WMDs to non-state actors.

Disarmament Research Guides