Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1187 of 19 June 2023 on Union support for the universalisation and effective implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism

1 With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the EU Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, the Union shall further support the universalisation and effective implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (‘ICSANT’) through an operational action.

2 The objectives of the action referred to in paragraph 1 shall be to: (a) increase the number of States initiating processes to become party to ICSANT and heighten awareness and knowledge of ICSANT among beneficiaries, such as national policy- and decision-makers, and in international fora; (b) improve national legislation and the capacity of criminal justice officials and other relevant national stakeholders in beneficiary countries to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate cases in which ICSANT is of relevance; (c) enhance policies, practices and procedures to prevent, detect and respond to the threat of non-State actors, including terrorists, acquiring, possessing and/or using nuclear or other radioactive material; (d) improve knowledge and understanding of the threat of radiological and nuclear terrorism and other criminal conduct involving such materials; (e) enhance national and international cooperation, including information exchange, within and among State Parties, in devising and adopting effective and practical measures to effectively implement the Convention.

3 A detailed description of the action referred to in paragraph 1 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 the implementation of this Decision.

2 The technical implementation of the action referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by the UNODC and the UNOCT.

3 The UNODC and the UNOCT shall perform that task under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the UNODC and the UNOCT.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the action to be financed by the Union referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 4000000,82.

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

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure financed by the reference amount referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude contribution agreements with the UNODC and the UNOCT. The contribution agreements shall stipulate that the UNODC and the UNOCT are to ensure the visibility of the Union's contribution, appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the agreements 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 the agreements.

1 The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports by the UNODC and the UNOCT. These regular reports shall form the basis of the evaluation carried out by the Council.

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

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. This Decision shall expire 36 months after the date of the conclusion of the agreements referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of the entry into force if no agreement has been concluded within that period.