The HCoC as an effective Risk Reduction Tool - HCoC

Supporting the Hague Code of Conduct

an FRS project funded by the European Union

The HCoC as an effective risk reduction tool

11 April 2024

Vienna

On 11 April 2024, the FRS organised a side event in the margins of the HCoC Annual Regular Meeting.

AGENDA

At a time of crisis of the arms control architecture, the Hague Code of Conduct plays an important role to bring transparency on potentially destabilising weapons and behaviours. In addition to its official purpose of curbing the proliferation of ballistic missiles, it is now key as part of risk reduction measures.

This side event assessed this function and discussed the specific dimension of the HCoC as a risk reduction measure.

Introduction

Mr Stefan Tressing, European External Action Service (EEAS), European Union
Amb. Eoin O’Leary, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the International Organisations in Vienna, HCoC Chair 2023-2024
Amb. Alex Wetzig Abdale, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Chile to the International Organisations in Vienna, HCoC Chair 2024-2025

Main session: Upcoming trends in missile proliferation

MODERATOR:

Mr Alexandre Houdayer, Secretary General, FRS

PANELLISTS:

Ms Pamela Durham, Director, Office of Missile, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation, U.S. Department of State
Mr Takanobu Sato, Assistant Director, Non-Proliferation, Science and Nuclear Energy Division, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Dr Marion Messmer, Senior Research Fellow, International Security Programme, Chatham House
Ms Nivedita Raju, Researcher, Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, SIPRI

November
2022

The HCoC at Twenty

Since its inception and through the collective outreach efforts of its Chairs, the Executive Secretariat, the EU and the United Nations, the Hague Code of Conduct has received growing support. It has improved its efficiency and implementation through a series of initiatives which have made it more easily accessible.

August
2015

Other publications

Making the Hague Code of Conduct Relevant

The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, the Missile Technology Control Regime and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 each contribute to the international regime for the nonproliferation of ballistic missiles. The three instruments aim at controlling both horizontal and vertical proliferation.

May
2023

The HCoC and Strategic Risk Reduction

As a multilateral instrument, the HCoC holds a particular place in a global architecture of measures that attempts to reduce the destabilising nature of ballistic missiles. By promoting transparency about policies and launches, it aims to limit the risk of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and worst-case assessments.