Thank you, Mr. President.

The United States would like to express its appreciation for today’s renewal of the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts for an additional year.

We are pleased to see this resolution reauthorize the mandate of the DPRK Panel of Experts, which provides credible, fact-based, independent assessments, analysis, and recommendations bearing on the implementation of the DPRK-related Security Council resolutions.

This work has never been more important in light of the DPRK’s unprecedented number of provocations. And we are pleased to see the Resolution 2664, co-penned by the United States and Ireland, being applied to the work of the 1718 Committee.

We discussed several proposals prior to the majority decision to seek a technical rollover. These include concerns over leaks, the inner workings and composition of the Panel, and improving the process of receiving regular assessments from the Panel on the DPRK’s ballistic missile advancements, such as through briefings or incident reports.

Although we could not come to decision on a package that would address all of these concerns, we look forward to continuing discussions on these important items through the Committee’s regular business.

The mandate renewal resolution reaffirmed what multiple resolutions have determined – that proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security.

We are happy to see all Council members reindorse this and look forward to continuing our work to address the threat posed by the DPRK’s unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Original source can be found here.