Ballistic missile proliferation in the Middle East: What role for CBMs such as the HCoC?

17 May 2022

Dubai

On 17 May 2022, FRS experts met with a delegation of researchers and officials from the United Arab Emirates in Dubai (UAE). The meeting aimed at discussing about trends in missile proliferation in the region, the benefits of joining the Code for states of the region, the challenges facing the Code, as well as to exchange perspectives on dual-use technologies control.

AGENDA

09:00 – 10:15        Ballistic Proliferation and Security in the Middle East

  • Welcoming Address / Introductory Remarks: Levallois & EU Representative & Mr. Mohamed Baharoon
  • Moderator: Mohamed Baharoon
  • Key Issues:
  • Ballistic missile proliferation trends and dynamics in the region
  • Factor of proliferation and security challenges linked to the use of ballistic missile in regional conflicts
  • Mitigation strategies and perspectives

 

10:30 – 11:30        The Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC): a tool to regulate destabilizing weapons and promote peaceful uses?

  • Introductory Remarks: Alexandre Houdaye
  • Moderator: Sheikha Najla Alqassimi
  • Key Issues:
  • Contribution of the Code to international security
  • Being a Subscribing State: commitments and benefits
  • Day-to-day implementation of the Code
  • What opportunities for joining the Code? What constraints?

 

11:45 – 01:00        Enhancing security while fostering the peaceful uses of space & final remarks & final remarks

  • Introductory Remarks: Omran Sharaf
  • Moderator: Emmanuelle Maitre
  • Key Issues:
  • Dual-use nature of launching technologies
  • Current trends in space and developments in the Gulf
  • Interest of transparency and confidence building measures to promote the peaceful use of space.
Research Papers

Limiting the proliferation of WMD means of delivery: a low-profile approach to bypass diplomatic deadlocks

Since the creation of the HCoC in 2002, the need for more collective commitment and action to fight the proliferation of ballistic missiles has certainly not decreased. The destabilizing nature of these weapons has not changed. Non-proliferation is just less about keeping the world stable and more about not adding a risk factor to an uncertain future. The HCoC was and remains a response to that need, but certainly not the end of the quest for improvement.

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