Council Decision 2012/421/CFSPShow full title

2. PROJECTS U.K.

2.1. Project 1: Regional workshops to raise awareness and identify needs U.K.

2.1.1. Project purpose U.K.

To raise awareness among relevant national officials and experts on different aspects of BTWC implementation (including CBMs), to discuss inter-sessional programme topics and their application in a regional context, and to identify key personnel, national needs and requirements, and possible recipient countries for extended national implementation assistance (see Project 2) through organising regional workshops building on the experience and contacts resulting from Joint Action 2008/858/CFSP.

This project will support the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the Seventh Review Conference concerning Article IV of the BTWC (in particular paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Final Declaration), and the 2012-2015 inter-sessional programme.

2.1.2. Expected results of the Project U.K.

(a)

Increased adherence to the BTWC in all geographic regions.

(b)

Enhanced understanding of the BTWC among the relevant national authorities and/or strengthened sub-regional networking concerning the BTWC in order to promote accession to and implementation of the BTWC.

(c)

Identification of needs for enhancing regional and national activities aimed at implementation of the BTWC.

(d)

Promotion of and support for, the creation and adherence to national and regional bio-safety associations.

(e)

Requests for extended assistance, to be executed under Project 2.

2.1.3. Project description and implementation U.K.

A maximum number of four regional or sub-regional workshops will be held, where appropriate in collaboration with international and regional organisations and in coordination with the 2012-2015 BTWC inter-sessional programme.

Both States Parties and States non-Parties to the BTWC will be invited to the workshops, as well as relevant international and regional organisations, national and regional bio-safety associations, academic experts and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The regions or sub-regions will be selected for workshops on the basis of criteria such as previous activities within the framework of Joint Actions 2006/184/CFSP and 2008/858/CFSP and Council Common Position 2006/242/CFSP(1), other Union activities (including the Centres of Excellence project), activities of other assistance providers, and assessed needs and interests for strengthening of BTWC processes in the regions.

The workshops will be used for outreach and information on the extended assistance programme and available support activities.

2.2. Project 2: Extended national implementation assistance programmes U.K.

2.2.1. Project purpose U.K.

To promote universal adherence to the BTWC and enhance national capabilities for implementing obligations under the BTWC, including CBM submissions, by means of legislation, administrative and enforcement measures, awareness raising, codes of conduct, standards on bio-safety and bio-security, and establishment of modalities for national coordination through extended assistance programmes.

2.2.2. Expected results of the Project U.K.

(a)

Increased number of States Parties to the BTWC.

(b)

Voluntary implementation of the BTWC by States prior to their accession thereto.

(c)

Adoption of appropriate legislative or administrative measures, including criminal law provisions, which encompass the full scope of the prohibitions and preventive measures provided for in the BTWC and elaborated by the Seventh Review Conference.

(d)

Effective implementation and enforcement to prevent violations of the BTWC and to impose sanctions in cases of breaches.

(e)

Creation or enhancement of national mechanisms for compilation of required information and annual submissions of CBMs with a view to increase the number of States Parties participating in CBMs exchange.

(f)

Better coordination and networking among all stakeholders involved in the BTWC process, including national and regional bio-safety associations and the private sector, in order to promote effective implementation.

(g)

Promotion of awareness raising programs, codes of conduct and standards on bio-safety and bio-security.

2.2.3. Project description U.K.

The Seventh Review Conference reaffirmed that the enactment and implementation of necessary national measures would strengthen the effectiveness of the BTWC. That Conference called upon States Parties to adopt legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures designed to enhance domestic implementation of the BTWC and to ensure the safety and security of microbial or other biological agents or toxins. That Conference emphasised the importance of the exchange of information among States Parties through the CBMs and recognised the need to increase the number of States Parties participating in the CBMs. That Conference agreed that a further concerted effort by States Parties through bilateral, regional and multilateral activities is needed for promoting the universalisation of the BTWC.

Based on experiences gained through Joint Action 2008/858/CFSP, extended national implementation assistance programmes will be provided to a maximum of eight countries identified as suitable through the regional workshops of Project 1.

Each programme will run for approximately 12 months, involve participation by EU delegations in beneficiary countries and the UN regional disarmament offices where appropriate, and will comprise:

• an initial national workshop, to gather all the relevant domestic agencies and stakeholders, to introduce the various BTWC concepts, to identify motivated and reliable local partners, and to make an initial assessment of needs and priorities,

• the development of a structured plan for assistance (Action Plan), tailored for the beneficiary country, that would involve visits and/or workshops by various assistance providers over the duration of the programme, as well as training provided in EU Member States or elsewhere,

• the execution of the Action Plan, with providers such as Interpol, WHO, VERTIC, EU Member States, the BTWC ISU, and academic institutions conducting the respective assistance activities (e.g. drafting of legislation, bio-safety/bio-security training, CBM preparation, police training, awareness-raising for scientists, emergency response planning, etc),

• a wrap-up workshop following the conclusion of the activities, where the threads will be drawn together, agencies will report on their activities and progress, and any needs for further or continuing assistance will be assessed,

• to support universalisation of the BTWC, extended national assistance programmes could, where appropriate, be provided to States non-Parties, in which case accession to the BTWC would form part of the Action Plan agreed with the recipient country,

• to ensure efficient and productive assistance, a EU workshop for EU experts assisting beneficiary countries under Project 2 will be organised with an objective of discussing best practices and appropriate preparations for assistance activities.

2.3. Project 3: Enabling tools and activities U.K.

2.3.1. Project purpose U.K.

To provide various tools and activities, which will enable and support effective national implementation of the BTWC including submission of CBMs.

2.3.2. Expected results of the Project U.K.

(a)

Guidance brochure on national implementation.

(b)

Revised CBM guidance brochure.

(c)

System for electronic submission of CBMs.

(d)

Increased participation by developing countries in the BTWC inter-sessional programme.

(e)

Increased capacity for the UN Secretary-General mechanism for the investigation of alleged use of biological and toxin weapons.

2.3.3. Project description U.K.

The Seventh Review Conference decided that strengthening of national implementation will be a Standing Agenda Item during the 2012-2015 inter-sessional programme. The topics to be addressed include specific measures for full and comprehensive implementation of the BTWC, especially Articles III and IV, and ways and means to enhance national implementation and sharing of best practices and experiences.

The Seventh Review Conference decided to adopt a revision of the reporting forms for CBMs submissions. Further, it was decided that the ISU in cooperation with States Parties will examine and develop options for electronic means of CBMs submission.

The Seventh Review Conference further discussed and decided on specific measures to support and increase the participation of developing States parties in the meetings of the inter-sessional programme.

The Seventh Review Conference referred to the UN Secretary-General investigation mechanism for alleged use of chemical and biological weapons. Its promotion, including through specialised training courses for experts, would be instrumental.

Based on experiences gained through the Joint Action 2008/858/CFSP and as a continuation of completed and/or initiated activities, the following actions will be performed:

(a)

preparation of comprehensive documentation (guidance brochure) providing an overview of the obligations of the States Parties of the BTWC and covering national measures for full and comprehensive implementation of the BTWC. The brochure will be designed as a toolkit of implementation measures and will provide examples of best practices while recognising differences in the national procedures. Experts from the EU Member States, BTWC States Parties, relevant international organisations, as well as the non-governmental sector concerned with BTWC implementation would be consulted in the process of its preparation. The brochure will be reproduced in all the official languages of the UN. Overall coordination of the preparation of the brochure will be carried out by UN ODA;

(b)

revision and further development of the CBMs guidance brochure, prepared under Joint Action 2008/858/CFSP, in accordance with the decision taken by the Seventh Review Conference;

(c)

development and maintenance of an electronic tool for CBMs submission, processing and dissemination (CBMs electronic facility);

(d)

further development of the ISU website and related IT and communication tools;

(e)

sponsorship for participation of experts from a maximum of ten developing countries in the BTWC inter-sessional programme;

(f)

organisation of an international exercise on the UN Secretary-General investigation mechanism for alleged use of biological weapons, with sponsorship for experts’ participation.

(1)

OJ L 88, 25.3.2006, p. 65.