International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation
Encyclopedia
The 'Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC)', was established November 25, 2002 as an arrangement to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missile
s.
The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) is the result of enforced efforts of the international community to internationally regularise the area of ballistic missiles which could be capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction. The HCOC is the only multilateral code in the area of disarmament which has been adopted over the last years. It is the only normative instrument to verify the spread of ballistic missiles. The HCOC does not ban ballistic missiles, but it does call for restraint in their production, testing, and export.
Since signing and entering into force of the political binding HCOC Code in November 2002 in The Hague (Netherlands) the number of signatories increased from 96 to 130. Austria
signed the Code in 2002.
As agreed by the conference in The Hague, Austria serves as the Immediate Central Contact (Executive Secretariat) and therefore coordinates the information exchange of the HCOC.
To create a link between the UN and the HCOC, which was not negotiated in the context of the UN, a Resolution regarding the HCOC was tabled in the course of the 59th as well as the 60th and 63rd General Assembly in New York.
Since the HCOC's entrance into force eight Conferences of Subscribing States of the HCOC were held. The 8th Regular Meeting of Subscribing States of the HCOC took place from 28–29 May 2009 under the chairmanship of Costa Rica; the 9th Regular Meeting is scheduled for 31 May - 1 June 2010 under the chair of France.
While the Missile Technology Control Regime
(MTCR) has a similar mission, it is an export group with only 34 members.
Ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
s.
The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) is the result of enforced efforts of the international community to internationally regularise the area of ballistic missiles which could be capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction. The HCOC is the only multilateral code in the area of disarmament which has been adopted over the last years. It is the only normative instrument to verify the spread of ballistic missiles. The HCOC does not ban ballistic missiles, but it does call for restraint in their production, testing, and export.
Since signing and entering into force of the political binding HCOC Code in November 2002 in The Hague (Netherlands) the number of signatories increased from 96 to 130. Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
signed the Code in 2002.
As agreed by the conference in The Hague, Austria serves as the Immediate Central Contact (Executive Secretariat) and therefore coordinates the information exchange of the HCOC.
To create a link between the UN and the HCOC, which was not negotiated in the context of the UN, a Resolution regarding the HCOC was tabled in the course of the 59th as well as the 60th and 63rd General Assembly in New York.
Since the HCOC's entrance into force eight Conferences of Subscribing States of the HCOC were held. The 8th Regular Meeting of Subscribing States of the HCOC took place from 28–29 May 2009 under the chairmanship of Costa Rica; the 9th Regular Meeting is scheduled for 31 May - 1 June 2010 under the chair of France.
While the Missile Technology Control Regime
Missile Technology Control Regime
The Missile Technology Control Regime is an informal and voluntary partnership between 34 countries to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying a 500 kg payload at least 300 km....
(MTCR) has a similar mission, it is an export group with only 34 members.