The extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts on the Implementation of Sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) failed today in the UN Security Council due to a Russian veto. The Security Council has imposed sanctions on the DPRK since 2006 in an effort to curb its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The sanctions include a range of measures, including trade and financial restrictions and an arms embargo, aimed at cutting off the flow of resources and technology that could be used for the DPRK's military programs.
The Panel of Experts is a group of independent experts appointed by the Security Council to monitor the implementation of Council sanctions. The Panel's main task is to investigate and report to the Security Council on the implementation of sanctions. The experts collect and analyze information on potential violations and recommend measures to enforce the sanctions. Through its work, the Panel of Experts contributes to improving the implementation of sanctions.
In New York, Switzerland supported the resolution to extend the Panel of Experts and regrets today's decision by the Council. In its foreign policy, Switzerland actively opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons and continues to assume responsibility in the UN Security Council as Chair of the Sanctions Committee for the DPRK. In this role, Switzerland is committed to building consensus among Council members and ensuring the proper functioning of the Committee in a context of heightened political tensions. It will continue this commitment after today's Council decision.
