ANNEX

EU SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1540 (2004)

1.   Description

On 28 April 2004, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540 (2004) as the first international instrument that deals with Weapons of Mass Destruction, their means of delivery and related materials in an integrated and comprehensive manner. All EU Member States were strongly in favour of this non-proliferation instrument. The Resolution provided for the establishment of the Committee of the Security Council which was entrusted with reporting to the Security Council on the implementation of the Resolution drawing from national reports. The national reports should cover the steps the States have taken or intend to take to implement the Resolution.

The EU has carried out démarches to third States to promote the submission of national reports under UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004). That Resolution recognises that some States may require assistance in implementing its provisions. Therefore technical assistance and exchange of experience gained from the process of drafting national reports and adopting measures to implement UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) can directly contribute to increased compliance with the reporting obligation under the Resolution and to its actual implementation.

On 27 April 2006 the UN Security Council unanimously adopted UNSC Resolution 1673 (2006), which decided that the 1540 Committee should intensify its efforts to promote the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) including through outreach, assistance and cooperation. In its April 2006 report, the 1540 Committee concluded that since 62 States which have yet to submit their first national report and 55 States which, although they have done so, still have to submit additional information and clarification are concentrated in three geographical areas (Africa, the Caribbean and the South Pacific), and since the gaps in the national reports follow certain regional patterns, activities to assist States in meeting implementation requirements of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) should concentrate on regions and areas where specific needs were identified.

2.   Project description

The projects in support of the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) aim at addressing three aspects of the implementation — awareness-raising of requirements and obligations under the Resolution, contributing to strengthening national capacities in three target regions (Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia-Pacific) in drafting national reports on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and sharing experience from the adoption of national measures required for the implementation of the Resolution.

The projects should take into account the conclusions and recommendations of the Report of the Committee of the Security Council established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004), particularly with regard to regional needs and gaps in the implementation of the Resolution as well as the need of some States for technical assistance, as applicable. The official declaration of interest for hosting the outreach activity in one of the target regions in the Committee of the Security Council shall be considered as the pre-condition for the EU support.

Project covering Asia-Pacific

The project consists primarily of organising an outreach activity, in the form of a seminar, which will raise awareness of the obligations under UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and contribute to strengthening national capacities to implement the Resolution in targeted States. The seminar may result in identifying assistance needs, which may be further addressed by future EU initiatives in the area of technical assistance. Within the beneficiary States, focus should be given to policy-making level participants. The agenda of the outreach activity should reflect the regional particularities in the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and should respect the overall objectives of the Joint Action.

China has indicated in the Committee of the Security Council an interest in hosting, still in the first half of 2006, a regional seminar on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) with special focus on export controls.

Project covering Africa

The project consists primarily of organising an outreach activity, in the form of a seminar, which will raise awareness of the obligations under UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and contribute to strengthening national capacities to implement the Resolution in targeted States. The seminar may result in identifying assistance needs, which may be further addressed by future EU initiatives in the area of technical assistance. Within the beneficiary States, the focus should be on policy-making level participants. The agenda of the outreach activity should reflect the regional particularities in the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and should respect the overall objectives of the Joint Action.

Ghana has considered positively a request in the Committee of the Security Council to host a regional seminar on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004), by the end of 2006 at the earliest.

Project covering Latin America and Caribbean

The project consists primarily of organising an outreach activity, in the form of a seminar, which will raise awareness of the obligations under UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and contribute to strengthening national capacities to implement the Resolution in targeted States. The seminar may result in identifying assistance needs, which may be further addressed by future EU initiatives in the area of technical assistance. Within the beneficiary States, the focus should be on policy-making level participants. The agenda of the outreach activity should reflect the regional particularities in the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and should respect the overall objectives of the Joint Action.

Peru has expressed its willingness to organise a regional seminar on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) by the end of 2006.

Project results:

—	increased awareness among targeted States and regions of their obligations under UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and of the possibilities for technical assistance,

—	contributing to strengthening national administrative capacities in the targeted States and regions to report on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004),

—	report on summary of proceedings of the outreach activities, e.g. seminars and an assessment paper on technical assistance needs.

3.   Duration

The total estimated duration of the projects will be 24 months.

4.   Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the seminar are primarily States of three target regions which have not submitted their national reports on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004). States which have already fulfilled their reporting obligation under the Resolution but which have not submitted additional information or clarifications as requested by the Committee of the Security Council should also be targeted.

The final choice of beneficiaries will be made by the Presidency assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative through his Personal Representative on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, acting upon proposals from the implementing entity in accordance with Article 2(3) of this Joint Action.

The potential regional and out-of-region technical assistance donors as well as relevant international, regional and sub-regional organisations will also be invited to attend.

5.   Implementing entity

The UN Secretariat (DDA) will be entrusted with the technical implementation of the projects, in the framework of the political coordination by the Secretary-General/High Representative through his Personal Representative on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The UN Secretariat (DDA) will sign a Host Nation Support Agreement with the States, which will be identified as hosting States. The hosting State will take part in the project implementation. The procurement of any goods, works or services by the UN Secretariat (DDA) from the hosting States in the context of this Joint Action will be carried out in accordance with the applicable UN rules and procedures, as detailed in the EU contribution-specific agreement with the UN Secretariat (DDA).

6.   Estimated EU financial contribution

The projects are co-financed by the EU and other donors. The EU should focus on expenditure related to participation of target States in the seminars, conference costs and costs for experts. Expenditure incurred by relevant regional and sub-regional organisations may also be covered, insofar as this is directly related to participation in, and organisation of, activities under the projects. The UN Secretariat (DDA) will be responsible for the overall coordination of contributions made by other donors, who will finance the remaining costs of the projects. Some donors may contribute to the implementation of the project directly to the host country. The estimated total cost of the EU contribution to the implementation of projects in Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America and Caribbean is EUR 195 000. Contribution transfers among projects are allowed if justified by specific requirements in selected regions.

In addition, a contingency reserve of about 3 % of eligible costs (for a total amount of EUR 3 395) is included for unforeseen costs.

7.   Financial reference amount to cover the cost of the projects

The total cost of the projects is EUR 195 000.