Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/633 of 3 April 2017 in support of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects

1 With a view to supporting the fight against the illicit trade in SALW by minimising the risk of diversion, including through theft, loss and unauthorised re-export, of SALW to illicit markets, illegal armed groups, terrorists and other unauthorised recipients, the Union shall, by means of this Decision, pursue the following objectives: supporting the UN Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument; ensuring the relevance of the UN Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument and increasing their effectiveness; supporting actions towards a successful and relevant outcome of the 2018 Third UN Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action (‘RevCon3’).

2 In order to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the Union shall, by means of this Decision, support the following: the preparation of RevCon3 through a series of thematic symposia and regional conferences; a comprehensive analysis of UN Member States' national reports on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, to be presented at RevCon3; a sponsorship programme for the participants of third countries; the provision of technical support for the RevCon3 President; four thematic symposia producing action-oriented findings on topics related to SALW control. The selected topics were defined as priorities in EU working papers that were submitted to UN Programme of Action meetings (BMS5 in 2014 and BMS6 in 2016) and were reflected in the outcome documents of those meetings: (i) SALW tracing and stockpile management in conflict and post-conflict situations; (ii) SALW and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the gender aspects of SALW control; (iii) recent developments in SALW manufacturing, technology and design and resulting challenges and opportunities for the implementation of the UN Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument; (iv) synergies between the UN Programme of Action, the Arms Trade Treaty and other relevant instruments; five regional conferences allowing for engagement with government representatives and regional organisations from selected regions on the outcome papers from the thematic symposia; analysis of national reports on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action and International Tracing Instrument with a focus on implementation challenges that give rise to opportunities for cooperation and assistance; strengthening the foundations for RevCon3 by means of a sponsorship programme and technical support to the RevCon3 President; and outreach through press statements and side events.

3 A detailed description of the project referred to in paragraph 2 is set out in the Annex to this Decision.

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

2 The implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) with the assistance of the Small Arms Survey represented by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (‘SAS’).

3 UNODA, assisted by SAS, shall perform its task under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNODA.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 2798381,56.

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

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with UNODA. UNODA and SAS will be invited to reach an agreement on the reimbursement of costs incurred by SAS for its contribution to the implementation of this Decision. The agreement between the Commission and UNODA shall stipulate that UNODA and SAS are to ensure the visibility of the Union's 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.

The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by UNODA. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall report on the financial aspects of the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(2).

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

2 This Decision shall expire 24 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if that financing agreement has not been concluded by that time.