Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2320 of 25 November 2022 on Union support for the implementation of a project ‘Unlocking Innovation: Enabling Technologies and International Security’

1 With a view to the implementation of the ‘Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy’, and taking into account the Union’s Strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition entitled ‘Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens’ as well as the Commission’s Communication entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence for Europe’, the Union shall support the implementation of a project ‘Unlocking Innovation: Enabling Technologies and International Security’.

2 The project activities to be supported by the Union shall have the specific objective to support the work that the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) conducts within its Security and Technology Programme (SECTEC) with a view to enhancing knowledge and understanding of new and emerging technologies with relevance for international security.

3 The project activities shall, in particular: (a) monitor, identify and improve understanding of new and emerging technologies, as well as novel applications of more established technologies, in order to provide policy- and decision-makers with accessible knowledge on the technology areas under examination, based on technically and scientifically sound evidence; (b) seek to improve understanding as to how new enabling technologies could be used, and what effect they could achieve, in security contexts. Work conducted under this pillar shall focus also on the increasing convergence of different technologies and their cross-domain applications, and in particular on how advancements in enabling technologies will shape the future of conflict and of the battlefield; (c) explore if novel enabling technologies pose new governance challenges and, if so, how the traditional arms control tool-box can be modernised to address such challenges. In addition, the project will also explore the complementarity of traditional arms control measures with broader technology governance measures that may contribute to achieving the same goals of security, stability, safety, risk reduction and non-proliferation.

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

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

2 The technical implementation of the project referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by UNIDIR.

3 UNIDIR shall perform its task under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNIDIR.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 1234011.

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

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure financed by the reference amount set out in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a contribution agreement with UNIDIR. That contribution agreement shall stipulate that UNIDIR is to ensure the visibility of the Union’s contribution, appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the contribution 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 the conclusion of that agreement.

1 The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of quarterly reports by UNIDIR. 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 implementation of the project referred to in Article 1.

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. It shall expire 24 months after the conclusion of the contribution agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, this Decision shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if no such agreement has been concluded within that period.