Council Decision (EU) 2017/2284 of 11 December 2017 to provide support to States in the African, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean regions to participate in the high-level fissile material cut-off treaty expert preparatory group consultative process

1 In accordance with the EU Strategy, which sets the objective of upholding, implementing and strengthening the multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, the Union shall provide support to States in the African, the Asia-Pacific and the Latin America and Caribbean regions to participate in the high-level fissile material cut-off treaty expert preparatory group consultative process.

2 The projects providing support to States in the African, the Asia-Pacific and the Latin America and Caribbean regions to participate in the high-level FMCT expert preparatory group consultative process, corresponding to measures in line with the EU Strategy, shall consist of sub-regional workshops, expert meetings, substantive support activities provided to United Nations Member States, and the establishment of a repository of relevant information and publications.

3 The aim of the projects shall be: the facilitation of dialogue at the regional level among States in the African, the Asia-Pacific and the Latin America and Caribbean regions; the development of a sense of ownership of the issue among States in these regions; the identification of the national needs and policy priorities of States in these regions; the involvement of relevant regional organisations in the discussions on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices to be negotiated in the framework of the Conference on Disarmament; the evaluation of the implications of the process at the regional level and of the role that relevant regional and international organization may play in that process; the comparative analysis of the implications of the process for each region; the facilitation of the transmission of knowledge between academia, civil society organisations and Member States relating to fissile materials.

4 A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.

1 The High Representative (HR) 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 United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) through its Geneva Branch and its Regional Disarmament Branch, the three regional centres for peace and disarmament in Africa (UNREC), Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) and Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC). UNODA shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNODA.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 1220880,51.

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 this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with UNODA for the reference amount upon adoption of this Council Decision. The agreement shall stipulate that UNODA is to ensure 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.

1 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.

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

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

2 This Decision shall expire 36 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after its entry into force if no financing agreement has been concluded by that time.