The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, revealed on Friday plans to establish a new program aimed at monitoring the enforcement of sanctions on North Korea's nuclear weapons. This initiative comes after Russia and China blocked the renewal of monitoring activities, posing challenges to international efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
Thomas-Greenfield expressed hope that a new mechanism for sanctions enforcement could be put in place by next month, following the recent setback at the UN. Over the past 15 years, a panel of experts has played a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of sanctions targeting North Korea. However, Russia rejected the annual renewal of this panel last month, and China abstained from the vote, leading to uncertainty about the future of sanctions enforcement.
Addressing reporters in Tokyo, Thomas-Greenfield outlined that the United States and its allies are exploring various options to replace the defunct panel of experts. These options include initiatives both within and outside the framework of the United Nations. Efforts are underway to engage the UN General Assembly and leverage the UN Secretariat's resources under the Secretary-General's leadership. Additionally, alternative avenues outside the UN, such as collaborations with the G7, think tanks, or research entities, are being considered.
Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the need for flexibility in exploring multiple options to ensure effective monitoring of sanctions on North Korea. She suggested that several teams could potentially replace the functions of the existing panel, enabling a more diversified approach to gathering essential information. As discussions progress, the focus remains on finding pragmatic solutions that uphold the international community's commitment to preventing North Korea's proliferation of nuclear weapons and missiles.
