Council Decision 2013/43/CFSPShow full title

2. Description of the project activity

2.1. Objectives

The project activity will assist Union efforts aimed at supporting the finalisation of the negotiation of an ATT that will ‘establish the highest possible common international standards to regulate legal trade in conventional weapons’ and as a result ‘make trade in arms more responsible and transparent, thus contributing to reinforcing peace and security, regional stability and sustainable social and economic development’. In particular the project activity will:

• contribute to the delivery of a strong and robust ATT based on the draft Treaty text of 26 July 2012;

• continue Union efforts to encourage third countries to support the elaboration and implementation of a legally binding ATT, establishing international common standards for the global trade in conventional arms;

• promote Union efforts to strengthen arms transfer controls in third countries; and

• support third countries’ efforts at the national level in preparation to achieve the full implementation of the ATT once it will enter into force.

2.2. Results

The implementation of the project activity will result in:

• a forum for a group of key governmental stakeholders to help UN Member States prepare for the UN Conference on an ATT to be convened in March 2013, and to help States prepare for the early entry into force and full implementation of an ATT. This forum will also examine ways in which existing activities in the field of international assistance for strengthening arms export controls can be coordinated and maximised;

• a publicly available 20-page report. This report will outline how to build on existing Union and international outreach and assistance activities to support efforts by third countries to put in place transfer control systems that fulfil obligations under an ATT.

2.3. Description of activities

To meet the objectives outlined in point 2.1, this project will include three activities: two seminars and a report.

2.3.1. Seminars for governmental representatives

The project will provide for the organisation of two two-day residential seminar for 30 to 40 governmental experts. The location and dates of each of the two seminars will be determined in consultations with the High Representative and the relevant Council Working Group.

(a) Structure of the seminars

The two seminars will provide for a discussion on a series of issues, including:

• ways to achieve the successful completion of negotiation of an ATT at the March 2013 UN Conference, on the basis of the draft Treaty text of 26 July 2012;

• means of ensuring the earliest possible entry into force of an ATT;

• best practices of national, regional, and international assistance to help achieve the entry into force and full implementation of the ATT;

• legal, technical, material and financial elements needed to ensure the development of national systems necessary to fulfil obligations under an ATT.

A short ‘food for thought’ paper highlighting the key issues to be discussed will be prepared in advance of each of the seminars. A summary of the seminar will be prepared and submitted to the High Representative and relevant Council Working Groups shortly after its conclusion.

The detailed and final agenda of the seminars will be determined in consultations with the High Representative and the relevant Council Working Group.

(b) Participants in the seminars

Participants in the seminars will include up to 40 governmental representatives of selected UN Member States participating in the ATT negotiations. The detailed and final list of participants for each of the two seminars will be determined in consultations with the High Representative and the relevant Council Working Group.

2.3.2. Report on Union and international assistance to third countries in implementing an ATT

Following the completion of the two seminars, a 20-page report will be published outlining how existing Union and international outreach and assistance activities aimed at strengthening transfer controls can be developed and expanded to help UN Member States fulfil obligations under an ATT. A principal aim of the report will be to recommend measures to support the early entry into force of the ATT.

The report will be intended to assist with deliberations on future outreach and assistance to support the implementation of the ATT. It is envisaged that this report will be a public output resulting from this Decision and will ensure continued visibility of the Union’s contribution to ensuring a strong and robust ATT.