The network will be open to all relevant research institutes from the Union and think tanks and be fully respectful of the diversity of opinion within the Union.

The network will facilitate contacts between non-governmental experts, Member States’ representatives and the institutions of the Union. The network will stand ready to engage with non-governmental actors from third countries in line with the EU WMD and SALW Strategies, which are based on the concepts of multilateralism and international cooperation. The network’s mandate will cover non-proliferation of WMD, their delivery systems, and issues related to conventional weapons, including SALW.

The network will be chaired by the representative of the HR, in accordance with the guidelines defined within the framework of the WMD Monitoring Centre with regard to non-proliferation measures. The participants in relevant preparatory bodies of the Council (CODUN/CONOP/COARM etc.) will be able to consult the network on issues related to non-proliferation and conventional weapons, including SALW, and its representatives may attend the network’s meetings. The network’s meetings may be organised back to back with the working group meetings, if feasible.

The EU Non-Proliferation Consortium based on FRS, HSFK/PRIF, IISS and SIPRI will be entrusted with the management of the project, in close cooperation with the representative of the HR.

The EU Non-Proliferation Consortium, in consultation with the representative of the HR and Member States, will invite participants, specialised in non-proliferation and conventional weapons issues, to a kick-off meeting and an annual conference. Participants must demonstrate their expertise through a series of publications or other research activities in the field of non-proliferation of WMD and conventional weapons issues.