Article 1 
1. For the purpose of giving immediate and practical application to some elements of the EU Strategy and of building on the successful implementation of Joint Actions 2006/184/CFSP and 2008/858/CFSP and Decision 2012/421/CFSP, this Decision serves as an operational policy tool for providing essential follow-up and momentum to the activities undertaken throughout the period 2016 to 2019 in the framework of Decisions (CFSP) 2016/51 and (CFSP) 2019/97 in support of the BTWC. 2. This Decision is guided by the following principles: (a) making best use of the experience gained through Decisions 2012/421/CFSP and (CFSP) 2016/51; (b) bearing in mind the lessons learned from the most recent SGM investigation, which took place in 2013 in Syria, with the aim of continuing the implementation of those lessons; (c) actively encouraging the nomination of experts and laboratories from the Global South to the SGM roster; (d) actively encouraging the nomination of female experts to the SGM roster; (e) building strategic partnerships with relevant institutions; (f) supporting the efforts of interested UN Member States to ensure the full operational readiness of the SGM; (g) contributing to the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament ‘Securing our Common Future’. 3. The Union shall support the following projects corresponding to measures of the EU Strategy: (a) support for training of experts on the SGM roster; (b) capacity-building of laboratories from developing countries; (c) outreach activities to ensure the nomination to the SGM roster of experts and laboratories from the Global South; (d) support for a full field exercise (Capstone Exercise); (e) support for regular coordination activities or workshops or both with relevant organisational partners. 4. A detailed description of those projects is set out in the Annex.
Article 2 
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 activities referred to in Article 1 shall be entrusted to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). It shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the UNODA.
Article 3 
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(3) shall be EUR 1 418 042. 2. The expenditure financed by the amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union. 3. The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 2. For that purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the UNODA. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the UNODA is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution appropriate to its size. 4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement 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 conclusion of the financing agreement.
Article 4 
The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of a final financial and narrative report containing, inter alia, lessons learnt, as well as brief reports prepared by the UNODA on each of the projects referred to in Article 1(3). Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Council shall also be briefed every six months on information provided by the UNODA regarding progress in implementation of those projects. The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of those projects.
Article 5 
1. This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. 2. This Decision shall expire 36 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3) or six months after the date of adoption of this Decision if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period.