Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/645 of 19 February 2024 in support of strengthening biological safety and security in Latin America in line with the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery

1 In accordance with the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction adopted on 12 December 2003, the Union shall further support the activities of OAS/CICTE through an operational action in support of strengthening biological safety and security in Latin America.

2 The overall objectives of the action referred to in paragraph 1 shall be to: a) strengthen existing national normative frameworks related to biological safety and security in beneficiary States; b) foster greater compliance with international regimes by promoting collaboration and cooperation between participating States through innovative exercises such as ‘peer review exercises’ and also by helping participating States with their submissions and declarations related to relevant biological weapons instruments; c) strengthen public and private sector capacity to secure biological weapons through training activities; d) create a regional community or network of public and private sector actors engaged in biological safety and security.

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 (‘HR’) 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 OAS/CICTE.

3 The OAS/CICTE shall perform the task referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the OAS/CICTE.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the action referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 2686427.

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 a grant agreement with the OAS/CICTE. The grant agreement shall stipulate that the OAS/CICTE is to ensure the visibility of the Union’s contribution, appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the 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 the agreement.

1 The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports by the OAS/CICTE. The 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.

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

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