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 Council Decision 2012/421/CFSP, this Decision serves as an operational policy tool for providing essential follow-up and momentum to the activities undertaken throughout 2016-2018 in the framework of Decision (CFSP) 2016/51 in support of the BTWC. It ensures the sustainability of those activities and enhances the implementation of the objectives reached as an outcome of the Meetings of States Parties to the BTWC held in December 2017 and 2018. It supports, in particular, the discussions in the BTWC Meetings of Experts in 2019 and 2020, as well as preparations for the Ninth Review Conference of the States Parties to the BTWC in 2021. 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) reflecting on specific needs expressed by States Parties as well as States not party to the BTWC with respect to better implementation and universalisation of the BTWC; (c) encouraging local and regional ownership of the projects in order to ensure their long-term sustainability and to build a partnership between the Union and third parties in the framework of the BTWC; (d) focusing on those activities that have shown to bring concrete results and/or contributing to an early framing of common understandings relevant for the Ninth Review Conference of the BTWC; (e) supporting the Chairs of the BTWC meetings, in particular the Chair of the Ninth Review Conference, and making best use of the mandate of the ISU; (f) contributing to the advancement of the peace and security and health-related objectives through the effective implementation of BTWC by States Parties and its universalisation. 3. The Union shall support the following projects corresponding to measures of the EU Strategy: (a) support for BTWC universalisation; (b) capacity development in support of BTWC national implementation; (c) fostering biosecurity networks in the Global South; (d) supporting the inter-sessional programme and preparations for the Ninth Review Conference of the BTWC; (e) preparedness of States Parties to prevent and respond to attacks involving biological agents; (f) enabling tools for outreach, education and engagement. 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 UNODA. It shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNODA.
Article 3 
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(3) shall be EUR 3 029 856,79. 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 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with UNODA. The financing agreement shall stipulate that 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 regular reports prepared by UNODA. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the projects referred to in Article 1(3).
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 its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period.