Council Decision 2014/912/CFSP of 15 December 2014 in support of physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) activities to reduce the risk of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Sahel region

1 The Union shall contribute to the security and stability in the Sahel region by assisting States of this region to prevent the diversion of, and the illicit trafficking in, government-owned SALW and ammunition by improving their physical security and stockpile management (‘PSSM’).

2 The activities to be supported by the Union shall have the following specific objectives: (a) to generate the necessary political buy-in for the enhancement of PSSM procedures and promote regional cooperation and knowledge sharing; (b) to support target countries in the development of up-to-date legislation, administrative procedures and practical standard operating procedures (SOPs) as the foundation of enhanced PSSM, in line with international best practice standards; (c) to directly support the implementation of stockpile management and security activities, including through rehabilitation of storage facilities, destruction of surplus, obsolete or illicit SALW and the piloting of new technologies. A detailed description of these activities is set out in the Annex.

1 The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘High Representative’) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

2 The technical implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by UNODA through UNREC. UNODA shall perform these tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative. For this purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNODA.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 3561257,06. The total estimated budget of the overall project shall be EUR 4129393,06, which shall be provided through co-financing.

2 The expenditure financed by the amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with Union procedures and rules applicable to the general Union budget.

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper implementation of the Union contribution referred to in paragraph 1. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with UNODA. The agreement shall stipulate that UNODA is to ensure that the visibility of the Union contribution is appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after 15 December 2014. It shall inform the Council and the High Representative of any difficulties in the process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement, within two weeks of signature.

1 The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports to be prepared by UNODA. These reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the Council.

2 The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(2).

1 This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

2 This Decision shall expire 42 months after the conclusion of the relevant financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3), or six months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within this period.