Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC)
The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) is the result of enforced efforts of the international community to internationally regulate 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 adopted over the last years. It is also the only transparency instrument concerning the spread of ballistic missiles.
Since the signing and entering into force of the politically-binding HCOC in November 2002 in The Hague (Netherlands) the number of signatories has increased from 96 to 134. Austria signed the HCOC 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 within the HCOC framework. In 2011 a new HCOC website was created with EU financing (www.hcoc.at).
In order to create a link between the UN and the HCOC, a multilateral code negotiated outside the context of the United Nation System, a Resolution regarding the HCOC was tabled in the course of the 59th as well as the 60th, 63rd and 65th UN-General Assembly in New York.
Since the HCOC's entrance into force, ten so-called Regular Meetings (annual conferences) of Subscribing States of the HCOC have taken place. The 10th Regular Meeting of Subscribing States of the HCOC took place from 2 - 3 June 2011 under the chairmanship of Romania; the 11th Regular Meeting is scheduled for 31 May and 1 June 2012 under the chairmanship of the Republic of Korea.
FAQ
What is the HCOC?
The HCOC is an acronym for the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC). It is a widely subscribed multilateral instrument that aims to delegitimize missile proliferation. The HCOC consists of a set of general principles, modest commitments, and limited confidence building measures.
When was the HCOC founded?
The HCOC was formally brought into effect on November 25, 2002, at a launching conference hosted by the Netherlands in The Hague.
What are its main objectives?
The HCOC aims to contribute to the process of strengthening existing national and international security arrangements and disarmament and non-proliferation objectives and mechanisms. Participants recognize a need to prevent and curb the proliferation of ballistic missile systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction, as well as the importance of strengthening, and gaining wider adherence to, multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms. To meet these objectives, participants try to exercise maximum possible restraint in the development, testing, and deployment of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction.
Is the HCOC endorsed by the United Nations (UN)?
The UN General Assembly adopted on December 3, 2004, a resolution (A/Res/59/91) welcoming the adoption of the HCOC and calling on states that have not adhered to it to do so. On December 8, 2005, 158 nations in the UN General Assembly voted in favor of General Assembly Resolution 60/62 supporting the HCOC. The Code’s importance and relevance was reaffirmed by the 63rd UN General Assembly on October 17, 2008 in a new resolution (A/Res/63/64). The last UN General Assembly Resolution in support of HCOC was adopted in 2010 (A/Res/65/73) by a recorded vote of 162 UN Member States in favour.
What is the relevance of the HCOC to Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)?
The HCOC complements the important, ongoing work of the MTCR. All states, whether or not they are members of the MTCR are encouraged to join the HCOC, which reflects the founding States’ intent to make the Code universally accepted.
How many countries belong to the HCOC?
As of 17 August 2011, 134 countries have subscribed to the HCOC.
What countries can subscribe to the HCOC: How does a country subscribe?
Participation in the HCOC is voluntary and open to all states. A country may subscribe to the HCOC by sending a diplomatic note stating that it wishes to become an HCOC Subscribing State to the Austrian Foreign Ministry, which serves as the Immediate Central Contact (ICC) for the HCOC.
What are the members’ obligations to the HCOC, financial or otherwise?
The HCOC is a political commitment that is open to all countries’ voluntary subscription.
By subscribing to the HCOC, members voluntarily commit themselves politically to provide pre-launch notifications (PLNs) on ballistic missile and space-launch vehicle launches (SLVs) and test flights. Subscribing states also commit to submit an annual declaration (AD) of their country’s policies on ballistic missiles and space-launch vehicles, including annual information on the number and generic class of ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles launched during the preceding year. The HCOC does not require a financial commitment: there are no assessed contributions or other monetary costs of subscribing.
Where and when do HCOC meetings take place?
The HCOC’s decision-making body, the Regular Meeting, normally convenes annually for two days in May in Vienna, Austria. For further information on the Regular Meetings see: http://www.un.org/disarmament/HomePage/ODAPublications/Yearbook/index.shtml
Who leads the HCOC? Is there a Chairman or Permanent Point of Contact?
The annual Regular Meeting is chaired on a rotating basis. The Chair of this meeting becomes the HCOC Chair for the period extending to the next Regular Meeting of Subscribing States. France was serving as HCOC Chair from May 2010-May 2011. Romania was elected HCOC Chair beginning in May 2011. At the 10th Regular Meeting, the Republic of Korea was elected HCOC Chair for 2012/2013.
Austria on a permanent basis serves as Immediate Central Contact (Executive Secretariat) of the Code and in this capacity also coordinates the information exchange of the HCOC.
Who has Chaired the HCOC in the past?
The following countries have served as HCOC Chair:
2002-2003 The Netherlands
2003-2004 Chile
2004-2005 Chile
2005-2006 The Philippines
2006-2007 Morocco
2007-2008 Bosnia and Herzegovina
2008-2009 Hungary
2009-2010 Costa Rica
2010-2011 France
2011-2012 Romania
2012-2013 Republic of Korea
Immediate Central Contact (Executive Secretariat):
Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs
Department II.8 – Disarmament, Arms Control, Non-Proliferation
Immediate Central Contact (HCOC)
Minoritenplatz 8, 1010 Vienna
Phone: +43 50 11 50/DW 3761
Fax: +43 50 11 59/DW 3761
E-Mail: hcoc(at)bmeia.gv.at
