FRS has been conducting a project on the Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation (HCOC) since 2009. On 18 December 2017 support for the Hague Code of Conduct and ballistic missile non-proliferation in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) was reaffirmed in Council Decision 2017/2370/CFSP. The project implemented by FRS was also renewed for three years, and its activities updated.
The context of ballistic missile proliferation in a number of regions of the world is a cause of growing concern for the international community including the European Union. The Council Decision mandated FRS to implement activities in support of the HCOC, in keeping with the EU objectives of promoting the universalisation of the Code, improving its implementation and reinforcing its visibility. The beneficiaries include the European Union, EU Member States, HCOC non-subscribing States, HCOC subscribing States, regional and international multilateral fora. More broadly, all countries and populations can benefit from the enhancement and implementation of the transparency and confidence-building measures foreseen in the Code.
The overarching aim of the project is to raise awareness about the threat posed by ballistic missile proliferation, to increase the effectiveness of multilateral instruments fighting proliferation, and to help interested countries reinforce their national export control regimes and improve exchanges of relevant information.
Specifically, most actions aim at training relevant officials on the content and obligations associated with subscribing to the Code. This included presenting the obligations subscribing states must abide by and the mechanism necessary to join the Code, explaining the day-to-day functioning of the instrument and the different ways of integrating a subscription to the Code into a non-proliferation national strategy. They also aim to encourage the debate around the instrument and possible ways to improve it to reduce the threat posed by missiles.
The project is divided into four main types of actions: the organisation and implementation of outreach events, in both New York and Vienna in the margins of international meetings, and in third countries, especially in non-subscribing states to the HCOC; the publications of food-for-thought papers related to ballistic proliferation; the preparation and distribution of communications and information material; and the development of a website dedicated to efforts in promoting the Code and activities organised in the framework of the project.
Point of contact: Emmanuelle Maitre
Team
Emmanuelle Maitre
Research fellow
Antoine Bondaz
Research fellow
Stéphane Delory
Senior research fellow
Benjamin Hautecouverture
Senior research fellow
Alexandre Houdayer
Secretary General
Valérie Niquet
Senior research fellow
Xavier Pasco
Director
Dedicated Internet website
Publications
Hypersonic missiles: Evolution or revolution for missile non-proliferation and arms control instruments?, February 2023
The HCoC at Twenty, November 2022
Origins and Development of the Hague Code of Conduct, October 2022
The HCoC and Southeast Asian States, October 2021
The HCoC and Space, September 2021
The HCoC and China, September 2021
Le HCoC et les États des Caraïbes, Juin 2021
Le HCoC et les États d’Amérique latine, Avril 2021
Le HCoC et les États d’Asie du Sud, Mars 2021
Le HCoC et les États africains, Décembre 2020
Prolifération des missiles balistiques: État des lieux, Septembre 2020
« Ballistic missiles and conventional strike weapons: Adapting the HCoC to address the dissemination of conventional ballistic missiles », Stéphane Delory, Janvier 2020
Étendre le HCoC aux missiles de croisière : Une proposition pour surmonter les obstacles politiques, Stéphane Delory, Emmanuelle Maitre, Jean Masson, Février 2019
«Ballistic missile proliferation: what should be the role of a small state?»,NatashaFernando,SanojJayakody, 2019
«The use of the existing WMD free zones as an exemple and a potential Framework for further initiatives banning ballistic missiles»,Benjamin Hautecouverture, 2016
«The HCoC: current challenges and future possibilities»,Dr Mark Smith, 2016
«The HCoC: relevance to African states»,Xavier Pasco,Emmanuelle Maître, 2016
«Le missile balistique : aviation stratégique du pauvre ?»,Stéphane Delory, 2015
«Numéro spécial du Bulletin de l’Observatoire de la non-prolifération à l’occasion des 10 ans du HCoC»,Observatoire de la non-prolifération, 2013
«Non prolifération des missiles : une approche alternative», Stéphane Delory, 2011
«Le Code de conduite de La Haye contre la prolifération des missiles balistiques»,David Pagès, 2010
«Making the Hague Code of Conduct Relevant»,Dennis Gormley, 2009
«Missile Control?»,UNIDIR, 2007