Lessons from National Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention Richard Lennane BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation 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 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation 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) Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation 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 of 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 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation 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.” Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation 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 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation 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 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation and on their Destruction
2007: common understandings: nat. implementation ONGOING ENFORCEMENT COMPONENTS MECHANISMS ACTIVITIES CAPACITY • • • • Sufficient penal Promoting Building capacity to Regular reviews of legislation for cooperation and collect evidence adopted measures • • prosecuting coordination among Developing early Ensuring continued prohibited activities government agencies warning systems relevance of national • • • Prohibition of Defining roles of Enhancing measures in light of assisting, encouraging different agencies and coordination between scientific and or inducing others to bodies relevant agencies technological • • conduct prohibited Raising awareness of Training law development • activities BWC amongst enforcement Updating lists of • Strengthening relevant stakeholders personnel agents and equipment • • • national capacity Improving dialogue Providing Implementing (including human and and communication enforcement agencies additional measures technological amongst relevant with necessary as required resources) stakeholders scientific and • • Effective export / Establishing a central technological support import controls body or lead • Avoid hampering organisation • peaceful use of Crating a national biological sciences implementation action plan Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation and on their Destruction
2007: common understandings: regional cooperation APPROACHES PROVISION OF RESOURCES INFORMATION SHARING • • • Develop common approaches to States Parties in a position to do Nominate a national point of implementation so should provide technical contact • • assistance and support to Provide relevant assistance and Inform Implementation Support requesting States Parties support Unit of national measures and • • Use Implementation Support any updates or changes to them Building upon shared languages • Unit as a clearing house and legal traditions Inform Implementation Support • • Make full use of resources and Unit of any relevant regional or Engage pre-existing regional expertise in other States Parties sub-regional activities resources and in international and regional • Include implementation of BWC organisations on agendas of regional meetings and activities Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation and on their Destruction
2008: common understandings: biosafety/biosecurity COMPONENTS TOOLS CHARACTERISTICS ASSISTANCE NEEDED • Developing national • Accreditation • To enact and improve Measures should: • Certification • Be practical biosafety and relevant legislation • Audit or licensing for • Be sustainable • To strengthen laboratory biosecurity frameworks • Defining the role of • Be enforceable facilities, organisations infrastructure, • Be readily understood different national or individuals technology, security and • Training requirements • Be developed with agencies and bodies management • Building national, • To conduct courses and for staff members stakeholders • Mechanisms to check • Avoid unduly restricting regional and provide training • To help incorporate international networks qualifications, expertise peaceful use • Be adapted for local of relevant stakeholders and training biosafety and • Taking better advantage • National criteria for needs biosecurity into existing • Be appropriate for of assistance already relevant activities efforts to address • National lists of relevant available agents being handled disease • Improving bilateral, • Be suitable for work agents, equipment and regional and other resources being undertaken • Make use of risk international cooperation to build assessment, relevant capacity management and • Enhancing the role communication played by the ISU approaches Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological The Hague, 26-27 March 2009 Clingendael/VERTIC workshop on (Biological) and Toxin Weapons UNSCR 1540 implementation and on their Destruction
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