Panel Discussion Underscores the Education and Capacity-Building Aspects of UNSCR 1540 

On 28 November 2025, the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and the Permanent Mission of Türkiye to the United Nations in Vienna convened experts and officials to discuss the role of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 in driving education and capacity-building initiatives. 

Ambassador Levent Eler, Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations in Vienna, opened the event, highlighting Resolution 1540 as a cornerstone of the international architecture preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. His remarks were followed by a panel discussion with:

• Xiaohui Wu, Head of the 1540 Support Unit, UNODA
• Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kibaroglu, MEF University in Istanbul
• Dr. Matthew Healy, Cranfield University at Shrivenham
• Assoc. Prof. Şebnem Udum, Hacettepe University
• Elena Sokova, Executive Director, VCDNP

The panellists presented on their varied experiences working in education and organizing capacity-building programs.  

The event concluded with a lively and engaging discussion on the implementation of Resolution 1540. Participants conversed on emerging challenges in carrying out the capacity-building and education components of the Resolution and the impacts of new technologies, such as AI, on those efforts. While the panellists agreed that further investment in and attention toward Resolution 1540 are needed, their presentations and discussions also made clear its central role as a load-bearing pillar in the international non-proliferation architecture. 

The VCDNP extends its gratitude to UNODA, the Permanent Mission of Türkiye and all participants for their fruitful cooperation and for helping to foster such an engaging and productive dialogue.  

For more information about the event, visit the UNODA website.