Project

Assistance Support Initiative

Keeping the most dangerous weapons out of the worst hands by facilitating assistance partnerships

About the Project

When the UN mandated strict new controls on chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, related materials, and their means of delivery in 2004, the goal was to ensure terrorists and other malicious actors could not acquire or use them. However, countries struggle to account for and regulate these dangerous materials and find it difficult to navigate the maze of nonproliferation assistance programs that could help. The Assistance Support Initiative’s database of nonproliferation assistance activities is a unique tool for States to find relevant assistance and meet their 1540 obligations.

Research & Writing

Op-Ed

Beyond Performative Non-Proliferation

Assessing the core impediments to achieving real progress and needed momentum in non-proliferation action in the Global South.
September 27, 2024

Commentary

UNSCR 1540 at 20 Years

As UN Security Council Resolution 1540 marks 20 years, the need for it has only grown, even while implementation challenges remain.
April 29, 2024

Resource

Catalogue of Civil Society Assistance for BWC States Parties

Highlighting civil society assistance activities to strengthen biological safety and security
January 9, 2024

Resource

2023 Catalogue of Civil Society Activities Supporting the Chemical Weapons Convention

Highlighting civil society activities to support the Chemical Weapons Convention.
November 27, 2023

Resource

2023 Catalogue of Civil Society Activities Strengthening Nuclear Security

Highlighting civil society activities to strengthen nuclear security.
November 3, 2023

Resource

2021 Catalogue of Civil Society Activities Strengthening Nuclear Security

Highlighting civil society activities to strengthen nuclear security
October 29, 2021

Policy Paper

“Well, Somebody Has to Arrange the Matches”

Challenges in the 1540 nonproliferation assistance process result in unmatched formal assistance requests despite hundreds of nonproliferation assistance activities on offer across the globe
July 26, 2021

Commentary

Despite a Difficult Year, a Win for Nonproliferation

The UN Security Council has voted to extend the mandate of the 1540 Committee, allowing for a third Comprehensive Review of Resolution 1540.
May 26, 2021

Policy Memo

Fix the Nonproliferation Assistance Maze

It could be easier for countries to get help for their nonproliferation efforts
October 13, 2020

Policy Paper

Match or Mismatch?: Comparing Formal Requests and Offers for Assistance in Border and Export Controls

Originally published in the Strategic Trade Review Journal Originally published in the Strategic Trade Research Journal Volume 5, Issue 7, Winter 2019.
May 12, 2020

Commentary

Preventing Biological and Chemical Weapons Proliferation during COVID-19

Even in a pandemic, global governance institutions still need to prevent the spread of biological and chemical weapons.
April 29, 2020

Impact

Keeping the Most Dangerous Weapons out of the Worst Hands

Stimson’s Assistance Support Initiative (ASI) is helping prevent WMD proliferation around the world
December 5, 2019

Sub-Projects

There are no subprojects associated with this project.

Events

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WEBSITE

UNSC Resolution 1540 Assistance Support Initiative Database
This database contains many projects and programs available to help achieve compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which states that countries will combat the spread of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, their means of delivery and illicit trafficking in related materials within or across their borders. This database also includes programs preventing proliferation of radiological weapons.

Research & Writing