Article 1
1. In the context of the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, the Union shall further support the activities of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) through an operational action in support to the strengthening of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM). 2. This Decision is guided by the following principles: (a) drawing upon and integrating the lessons learned and experience gained through Decisions 2012/421/CFSP, (CFSP) 2016/51 and (CFSP) 2020/732; (b) maximising complementarity and synergies among UNODA programmes and projects supported by the Union, including those related to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004); (c) prioritising the implementation of key elements of the Standing Preparatory Measures that are essential to maintaining and enhancing the UNSGM’s operational readiness and effective functioning; (d) ensuring meaningful and sustained participation of Qualified Experts, Expert Consultants, and Analytical Laboratories from the Global South across all relevant initiatives and activities; (e) strengthening strategic partnerships with relevant national institutions and international organisations to reinforce coherence, coordination, and collective capabilities. 3. The overall objective of the action referred to in paragraph 1 is to strengthen global capacity to investigate the alleged use of biological and toxin weapons by enhancing the operational readiness of the UNSGM, thereby contributing to a more effective international architecture capable of deterring the use of biological weapons and responding to potential violations of the 1925 Geneva Protocol. 4. The specific objectives of the action referred to in paragraph 1 shall be to: (a) strengthen expert competencies and interoperability for effective investigations; (b) harmonise validation and collaboration arrangements with the UNSGM for analytical laboratories; (c) strengthen logistics and equipment support for investigations and training; (d) enhance collaborative action through strategic outreach and coordination. 5. A detailed description of the action referred to in paragraph 1 is set out in the Annex.