Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 31(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 19 November 2018, the Council adopted the EU Strategy against illicit firearms, small arms & light weapons ('SALW') and their ammunition, entitled 'Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens' (the 'EU SALW Strategy'). The purpose of the EU SALW Strategy is to guide integrated, collective and coordinated European action to prevent and curb the illicit acquisition of SALW and their ammunition by terrorists, criminals and other unauthorised actors, and to promote accountability and responsibility with regard to the legal arms trade.

The EU SALW Strategy observes that poor stockpile security is a key factor that allows arms and ammunition to be diverted from the licit to the illicit markets. The Union and its Member States are committed to helping other countries to improve the management and security of state-held stockpiles by strengthening national legislative and administrative frameworks and strengthening institutions that regulate the legitimate supply and stockpile management of SALW and ammunition for defence and security forces.

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) has developed standards and good practices for the management of small arms and ammunition: the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and the Modular Small-Arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC), formerly known as the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS). The EU SALW Strategy commits the Union to promoting and implementing standards and good practices.

On 30 June 2018, the third United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action against illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons adopted an outcome document in which States renewed their commitment to prevent and combat the diversion of small arms and light weapons. States reaffirmed that they are to redouble national efforts to provide for the safe, secure and effective management of stockpiles of small arms and light weapons held by government armed forces and by government security forces, in particular in conflict and post-conflict situations. States also acknowledged the application of relevant international standards in strengthening the implementation of the UN Programme of Action.

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development affirms that combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is necessary for the achievement of many sustainable development goals, including those relating to peace, justice and strong institutions, poverty reduction, economic growth, health, gender equality and safe cities. Therefore, in Sustainable Development Goal 16.4, all States have committed to significantly reducing illicit financial and arms flows.

In the Agenda for Disarmament 'Securing our Common Future'^f1, which was presented on 24 May 2018, the UN Secretary-General called for addressing the excessive accumulation of conventional arms and the illicit trade in conventional arms and called for the support of country-level approaches on small arms. The Union has decided to support the Agenda's Action 22: 'Secure excessive and poorly maintained stockpiles'.

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) contributes to the development, review and promotion of the International Mine Action Standards, and, through its Ammunition Management Advisory Team (AMAT), to the development, review and dissemination of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG). AMAT is part of GICHD. AMAT was created as a result of a joint initiative between the GICHD and UNODA in response to the urgent need for support to States in the safe, secure and effective management of ammunition, in accordance with the IATG.

On 4 December 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 72/55 on problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus. That resolution supports initiatives at the international, regional and national levels that shed light on improving the sustainable management of ammunition, including through the implementation of the IATG.

The Union and its Member States are top donors for small arms control assistance and capacity development in general, and for physical security and stockpile management in particular. While various international standards and guidelines for stockpile management exist, there is no standardised and internationally recognised methodology for carrying out independent assessments and validation of compliance according to these standards. Consequently, the impact of the Union's assistance for arms stockpile security is difficult to measure.

An internationally recognised methodology for the independent validation of compliance with international arms management standards will make the impact of the Union's assistance to third countries in relation to arms stockpile management measureable; it will also support the risk assessment in the context of arms export control and the provision of military assistance.

The Union should therefore support a project for establishing the feasibility of the development of a voluntary internationally recognised system for the validation of arms and ammunition management on the basis of open international standards,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: