Lessons from National Implementation of the Biological Weapons - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

Lessons from National Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention

Richard Lennane BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

1540 and BWC: common goals

• Strengthen national regimes to proscribe and

prevent biological resources being used for terrorism

• Protect and encourage the development of the

peaceful applications of the life sciences

• Ensure that the life sciences are used in a safe

and secure manner, solely for the benefit of humanity

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

1540: formal links to BWC

• Affirms “support for the multilateral treaties whose aim is to

eliminate or prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and the importance for all States parties to these treaties to implement them fully in order to promote international stability” (pp 5)

• Welcomes the non-proliferation commitments and efforts made

under these treaties, in particular in securing sensitive materials (pp 6 &11)

• Calls on states to promote the universal adoption and full

implementation of the treaties (op 8)

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

BWC: formal links to 1540

• Sixth RevCon (2006) recognized the “contribution of full and

effective implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 by all states to assist in achieving the objectives

• f this Convention”.
• Final Declaration on BWC Art. IV (national implementation)

also explicitly refers to Resolution 1540 – notes that information provided by states in accordance with Resolution 1540 may provide a useful resource for fulfilling their Art. IV obligations

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

National implementation of the BWC

BWC Article IV: “Each State Party to this Convention shall ... take any necessary measures to prohibit and prevent the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition, or retention of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means of delivery specified in article I of the Convention, within the territory of such State, under its jurisdiction or under its control anywhere.”

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

Sixth Review Conference (2006)

• Final Declaration calls on BWC States Parties to:

– implement appropriate transfer measures, including effective national export controls – take measures to ensure that relevant biological agents and toxins are protected and safeguarded – promote the development of training and education programs for those working with relevant biological agents and toxins – encourage development of codes of conduct and self- regulatory mechanisms, and promote awareness among relevant professionals of the need to report suspicious activities

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

Intersessional process: 2007/2008 topics

1. National implementation, including enforcement of national legislation, strengthening of national institutions and coordination among national law enforcement institutions 2. Regional and sub-regional cooperation on implementation 3. National, regional and international measures to improve biosafety and biosecurity, including laboratory safety and security of pathogens and toxins 4. Oversight, education, awareness raising, and adoption and/or development of codes of conduct with the aim of preventing misuse

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

2007: common understandings: nat. implementation

• Regular reviews of

adopted measures

• Ensuring continued

relevance of national measures in light of scientific and technological development

• Updating lists of

agents and equipment

• Implementing

additional measures as required

• Building capacity to

collect evidence

• Developing early

warning systems

• Enhancing

coordination between relevant agencies

• Training law

enforcement personnel

• Providing

enforcement agencies with necessary scientific and technological support

• Promoting

cooperation and coordination among government agencies

• Defining roles of

different agencies and bodies

• Raising awareness of

BWC amongst relevant stakeholders

• Improving dialogue

and communication amongst relevant stakeholders

• Establishing a central

body or lead

• rganisation
• Crating a national

implementation action plan

• Sufficient penal

legislation for prosecuting prohibited activities

• Prohibition of

assisting, encouraging

• r inducing others to

conduct prohibited activities

• Strengthening

national capacity (including human and technological resources)

• Effective export /

import controls

• Avoid hampering

peaceful use of biological sciences ONGOING ACTIVITIES ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY MECHANISMS COMPONENTS

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

2007: common understandings: regional cooperation

• Nominate a national point of

contact

• Inform Implementation Support

Unit of national measures and any updates or changes to them

• Inform Implementation Support

Unit of any relevant regional or sub-regional activities

• States Parties in a position to do

so should provide technical assistance and support to requesting States Parties

• Use Implementation Support

Unit as a clearing house

• Make full use of resources and

expertise in other States Parties and in international and regional

• rganisations
• Develop common approaches to

implementation

• Provide relevant assistance and

support

• Building upon shared languages

and legal traditions

• Engage pre-existing regional

resources

• Include implementation of BWC
• n agendas of regional meetings

and activities INFORMATION SHARING PROVISION OF RESOURCES APPROACHES

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

2008: common understandings: biosafety/biosecurity

• To enact and improve

relevant legislation

• To strengthen laboratory

infrastructure, technology, security and management

• To conduct courses and

provide training

• To help incorporate

biosafety and biosecurity into existing efforts to address disease Measures should:

• Be practical
• Be sustainable
• Be enforceable
• Be readily understood
• Be developed with

stakeholders

• Avoid unduly restricting

peaceful use

• Be adapted for local

needs

• Be appropriate for

agents being handled

• Be suitable for work

being undertaken

• Make use of risk

assessment, management and communication approaches

• Accreditation
• Certification
• Audit or licensing for

facilities, organisations

• r individuals
• Training requirements

for staff members

• Mechanisms to check

qualifications, expertise and training

• National criteria for

relevant activities

• National lists of relevant

agents, equipment and

• ther resources
• Developing national

biosafety and biosecurity frameworks

• Defining the role of

different national agencies and bodies

• Building national,

regional and international networks

• f relevant stakeholders
• Taking better advantage
• f assistance already

available

• Improving bilateral,

regional and international cooperation to build relevant capacity

• Enhancing the role

played by the ISU ASSISTANCE NEEDED CHARACTERISTICS TOOLS COMPONENTS

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

2008: common understandings: oversight/awareness

• Complement national legislative,

regulatory and oversight frameworks

• Help guide science so it is not

used for prohibited purposes

• Further develop strategies to

encourage voluntary adoption of codes Formal requirements for seminars, modules or courses in relevant scientific education and training programmes that:

• Explain the risks associated with

the malign use of biology

• Cover moral & ethical obligations
• Provide guidance on the types of

activities which could be prohibited

• Are supported by accessible

teaching materials, seminars, workshops, publications and audio-visual materials

• Address leading scientists,

managers and future generations

• f scientists
• Can be integrated into existing

national, regional and international efforts Develop national oversight frameworks:

• To prevent agents and toxins

being used as weapons

• To oversee relevant people,

materials, knowledge and information

• To oversee the entire scientific

life cycle

• To cover private & public sectors
• That are proportional to risk
• That avoid unnecessary burdens
• That are practical and usable
• That do not unduly restrict

permitted activities

• With the involvement of

stakeholders in all stages of design and implementation

• That can be harmonised

regionally and internationally NEXT STEPS FOR CODES OF CONDUCT EDUCATION & AWARENESS RAISING COMPONENTS OVERSIGHT CHARACTERISTICS

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

Challenges

• Evolving BW threat: technological advances (e.g.

synthetic biology), capability spreading fast

• Universalization of BWC: 163 members, lags behind

NPT and CWC

• Disparities in national implementation; low

participation in CBMs

• Effective provision of assistance: ISU helps, but

demand > supply, coordination lacking

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

BWC approach: a network model

BWC State State

WHO FAO OIE SCR 1540 INTERPOL Professional associations Industry Scientific

• rganisations

Work Program ISU

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

Conclusions: 1540 and BWC

• Be flexible, nimble, innovative and creative
• Continue and strengthen current work on:

– national legislation and enforcement – biosecurity – education and awareness-raising

• Seek opportunities for:

– coordination and cooperation – pooling resources and expertise – sharing information and ideas

Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on UNSCR 1540 implementation The Hague, 26-27 March 2009

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

Further information:

BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Geneva Branch) Room C.115, Palais des Nations Geneva tel: +41 (0)22 917 2230 fax: +41 (0)22 917 0483 e-mail: bwc@unog.ch

web: www.unog.ch/bwc