
Article 1 

1. In accordance with the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which sets the objective of fostering the role of the UN Security Council and of enhancing its expertise in meeting the challenges of proliferation, the Union shall further support the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) (‘UNSCR 1540 (2004)’) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1977 (2011).
2. The projects in support of UNSCR 1540 (2004), corresponding to measures of the EU strategy, shall consist of sub-regional workshops, country visits, meetings, events, training and public relations efforts.
3. The aims of the projects shall consist of:
— enhancing the relevant national and regional efforts and capabilities primarily through capacity-building and assistance facilitation;
— contributing to the practical implementation of specific recommendations of the 2009 Comprehensive Review of the status of implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004), in particular in the areas of technical assistance, international cooperation and raising public awareness;
— initiating, developing and implementing National Action Plans upon States’ request.
4. A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.
Article 2 

1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (hereinafter ‘the High Representative’) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.
2. The technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the UN Secretariat (Office for Disarmament Affairs) (‘UN Secretariat (ODA)’). It shall perform this task under the responsibility and the control of the High Representative.
3. For this purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the UN Secretariat (ODA).
Article 3 

1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 750 000 to be funded from the general budget of the European Union.
2. The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union.
3. The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 2. For this purpose, the Commission shall conclude a financing agreement with the UN Secretariat (ODA). That financing agreement shall stipulate that the UN Secretariat (ODA) is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution, appropriate to its size.
4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Decision. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.
Article 4 
The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by the UN Secretariat (ODA). Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the projects referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 5 

1. This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
2. This Decision shall expire 24 months after the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3), or three months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period.
Done at Brussels, 22 July 2013.
For the Council
The President
C. ASHTON
ANNEX
1. 
The overall objectives of this Decision are to promote the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1540 (2004) (‘UNSCR 1540 (2004)’) and 1977 (2011) (‘UNSCR 1977 (2011)’) within the framework of the implementation of the EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through specific measures with the following specific aims: to enhance the relevant national and regional efforts and capabilities primarily through capacity-building and assistance facilitation; to contribute to the practical implementation of specific recommendations of the 2009 Comprehensive Review of the status of implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004), in particular in the areas of technical assistance, international cooperation and raising public awareness.

2.  2.1.  2.1.1. 

— To support country-specific implementation activities, including the development of national action plans and of a sustained national and sub-regional implementation process;
— To enhance international cooperation including the role of the 1540 Committee in the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004).
 2.1.2. 
Facilitation by UNODA, in cooperation, as appropriate, with other international, regional and sub-regional organisations and entities, of practical steps to implement key requirements of UNSCR 1540 (2004) at national level, in particular through support of country visits or country-specific activities to be conducted by the 1540 Committee, with the consent of the States concerned. It is envisaged to support five country visits (each lasting 4 days). Depending on a specific country and decisions of the 1540 Committee, a country visit or country-specific activities will contribute to the national implementation process through: (a) contributions to awareness-raising by means of tailored dialogues with different actors involved in the national implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004); (b) examination of national measures and mechanisms used to implement that resolution and identification of specific challenges faced by the national authorities as well as possible options to remedy them; and (c) facilitation of the preparation of voluntary national action plans and other measures decided by the visited country.

Organisation by UNODA, in cooperation, as appropriate, with other international, regional and sub-regional organisations and entities, meetings in specific sub-regions based upon the outcome of the previous capacity-building workshops in the specific sub-regions. It is envisaged to conduct three follow-up meetings in the selected sub-regions (Africa, the Gulf and the Middle East, South East Europe and Latin America). Each meeting will be tailored to meet the actual requirements of the sub-region focusing on areas that are likely to achieve practical results. Meetings will be conducted in conjunction with in-country technical discussions to explore specific measures to sustain progress in the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004). The in-country discussions will be organised in response to invitations by interested Member States.

The UN ODA will develop UNSCR 1540 (2004) activities in cooperation with other international organisations and agencies, including the OSCE, IAEA, OPCW, WHO, FAO and OIE, to ensure effective synergies and avoid duplication.

As appropriate, synergies will be sought with the activities of the regional Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) ‘Centres of Excellence’, which are currently being set up under the Instrument for Stability as well as with other EU-sponsored programmes in this field.
 2.1.3. 
Improved implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) through additional steps to be undertaken by States towards its full implementation; development of effective and realistic national action plans or road maps for the implementation of the key requirements of that resolution; enhanced regional coordinated approaches to the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004); and the establishment of effective partnerships between participating States and assistance providers.
 2.2.  2.2.1. 
To promote capacity-building on national and regional levels to advance full implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) by focusing on one of the resolution’s key areas, namely, the physical protection and accounting of ‘related materials’. UNSCR 1540 (2004) contains specific provisions (operational paragraph 3, subparagraphs a) and b)) obliging all States to establish appropriate controls over materials, equipment and technology which could be used for the design, development, production or use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. To this end, States are required to: (a) develop and maintain appropriate effective measures to account for and secure such items in production, use, storage or transport; and (b) develop and maintain appropriate effective physical protection measures.
 2.2.2. 
Organisation by UNODA of two sub-regional workshops (Central America, South East Asia and Latin America) focusing on the physical protection and accounting of ‘related materials’. Through experience-sharing on national policies and practice related to accounting, security and protection of relevant biological, chemical and nuclear materials, the measure will promote integrated national approaches based on good practices and lessons learned.

The importance of cooperation and interaction with international organisations such as the IAEA, OPCW, WHO, FAO, OIE and the OSCE will also be emphasized, as appropriate. Each workshop will be organised in conjunction with rounds of relevant technical discussions with participating countries taking into full consideration national specificities. The in-country discussions will be organised in response to invitations by interested Member States in relevant sub-regions.

As appropriate, synergies will be sought with the activities of the regional CBRN ‘Centres of Excellence’, which are currently being set up under the Instrument for Stability as well as with other EU-sponsored programmes in this field.
 2.2.3. 
Improved national efforts and enhanced capacities to implement appropriate checks over materials, equipment and technology which could be used for the design, development, production or use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery; identification of effective and efficient practices for accounting, securing and protecting ‘related materials’; increased security of relevant materials at national and regional levels; increased regional and international partnerships in relevant areas; and contribution to efforts to increase global CBRN security.
 2.3.  2.3.1. 
To support the practical implementation of the 2009 Comprehensive Review recommendations;

To enhance international cooperation and raise public awareness of the importance of the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004).
 2.3.2. 
UNSCR 1977 (2011) and the Final Document of the 2009 Comprehensive Review envisage a number of specific activities in implementation of key requirements of UNSCR 1540 (2004). The measure includes specific projects to support such activities including through sponsoring meetings/events, training and public relations efforts. Subject, as appropriate, to the 1540 Committee’s decisions and recommendations, the projects would include:


— organisation by UNODA of events to bring together those offering and seeking assistance and meetings of current or prospective partners (States, international and regional organisations);
— UNODA-organised meetings to support efforts to enhance the cooperation of the 1540 Committee with international non-proliferation mechanisms and other international and regional organisations;
— organisation or sponsorship by UNODA of a workshop of representatives of civil society, academia and industry;
— sponsorship by UNODA of participation of national officials in training courses and other capacity-building activities;
— sponsorship of an electronic journal on UNSCR 1540 (2004) implementation issues.

As appropriate, synergies will be sought with the activities of the regional CBRN ‘Centres of Excellence’, which are currently being set up under the Instrument for Stability as well as with other EU-sponsored programmes in this field.
 2.3.3. 
Implementation of specific measures agreed at the 2009 Comprehensive Review; more diverse means for facilitating technical assistance; provision of UNSCR 1540 (2004)-focussed training to national officials; greater involvement of representatives of civil society, academia and industry in international, regional and national UNSCR 1540 (2004) implementation efforts; enhanced public awareness of importance of full implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004).

3. 

— UN Security Council and its 1540 Committee;
— Participating governments from respective sub-regions;
— Governments and organisations offering assistance;
— United Nations, relevant international, regional and sub-regional organisations;
— Non-governmental organisations and civil society entities.

4. 

— Member States, government officials;
— 1540 Committee and other UN entities;
— International, regional and sub-regional organisations;
— Governments and organisations providing and receiving technical assistance under UNSCR 1540 (2004);
— Civil society, academia and relevant industries.

5. 
UNODA will select potential venues for the meetings, workshops and other events. The criteria used for choosing the venues will include the willingness and commitment of a relevant State in a particular region to host the event. Specific locations of country visits or country-specific activities will depend on invitations from interested Member States and, as appropriate, on decisions of the 1540 Committee.

6. 
The total estimated duration of the project is 24 months.
