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

June
2022

The HCoC and Northeast Asian States

A majority of Northeast Asian states currently possess or seek to acquire ballistic missiles, producing a missile race and an increase in the number of tests as states are developing their capabilities further. Proliferation risks also remain high, and it is noteworthy that only South Korea and Japan have joined the MTCR.

December
2024

The HCoC And the Use of Ballistic Missiles in Conflict

The generalisation of ballistic missiles as conventional weapons, used regularly as an alternative to air strikes, cruise missiles or even drones, conducts to a new reflection on the role of the Code in the current environment.

March
2022

Research Papers

The Hague Code of Conduct and Space

This paper considers the dual approach of the Code by analysing the similarities between launchers and ballistic missiles in light of new technical developments, and assessing the risk of missile technology proliferation. It also assesses the new trends and developments in the space sector that may have an impact on the ability of the HCoC to remain relevant in its efforts to curb the proliferation of ballistic launchers.

This project is implemented by the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique

The project is funded
by the European Union