UN sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Prospects and problems

Date: 2013-03-19

Time: 08:30 to 17:00

Venue: The Michelangelo , Johannesburg , South Africa

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), in collaboration with the UN Panel of Experts established pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1874 and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), held an outreach workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa to discuss the regional challenges of implementing UN sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and to share best practices for compliance.

The workshop convened more than 40 government officials, banking representatives and non-governmental specialists from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States.

The event included sessions on the implementation of sanctions in the transportation and financial sectors, a discussion of export-control and customs-related measures, and a constructive dialogue on regional approaches to the enforcement of UN sanctions on the DPRK.

Participants emphasised the importance of outreach events such as this workshop as platforms from which to explore various issues associated with implementing sanctions on the DPRK. The Panel likewise expressed appreciation for the unquestionable utility of the two-way exchange, and hoped that this workshop would be the beginning of a dynamic process of helping concerned member states to implement sanctions effectively.

Speakers included Mark Fitzpatrick, Director, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Programme, International Institute for Strategic Studies; members of the UN Panel of Experts; and representatives from industry and governments.

Many participants expressed a desire to maintain contact with the Panel, the IISS and the ISS.