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

January
2019

Other publications

Ballistic missile proliferation: what should be the role of a small state?

On 15 January 2019, the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) and the FRS held a South Asia Regional Seminar “Dealing with the missile threat in South Asia” with the support of the European Union. This explainer on ballistic missile proliferation explains a few key aspects of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) in relation to small states with special reference to Sri Lanka.

November
2020

Why Does the HCoC Focus on Ballistic Missiles?

The Hague Code of Conduct focuses on ballistic missiles as they remain the preferred delivery vehicle for WMDs. The HCoC therefore regulates one of the most dangerous types of weapons in existence.

December
2020

The HCoC and African States

While both ballistic programmes and the risk posed by these systems remain very limited on the African continent, ballistic missiles inherently constitute a global risk – due to their range and destructive potential. Instruments such as the HCoC, which seek to limit the proliferation of such systems, are therefore relevant for African countries.

This project is implemented by the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique

The project is funded
by the European Union