After fourteen years of outreach on United Nations Security Council resolution 1540, most countries understand their obligations under the resolution. For most states, whether they act upon it depends on (a) political willingness to prioritize such expenses over other national needs; (b) the availability of assistance on “how” and “in what order.” This article seeks to explore how implementation assistance can be improved in order to move the willing but capability-challenged states towards action. It identifies some common challenges faced by donor states, recipient states, and implementers or assistance providers. It also outlines some preliminary solutions to the challenges that cause frustration among all participants in the assistance process and raise concerns about its sustainability.
