The Biological Weapons Convention Ngoc Phuong Huynh BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Geneva Branch) Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
BWC Facts and Figures • Full name: Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction • BTWC or BWC • Opened for signature in 1972; entered into force in 1975 • The BWC is one of the three fundamental pillars of the international community's effort against WMD, along with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and the Chemical Weapons Convention Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
BWC facts and figures • Current membership: – 163 States Parties – 13 signatories – 19 states neither signed nor ratified • Main provisions: – completely prohibits any acquisition or retention of biological or toxin weapons; no exceptions – prohibits assisting or encouraging others to acquire BW – requires national implementation measures – peaceful uses of biological science and technology to be protected and encouraged Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
Timeline of intersessional programmes FIFTH REVIEW CONFERENCE MEETING OF MEETING OF 2003 – 2005 Intersessional Process EXPERTS EXPERTS SIXTH REVIEW CONFERENCE MEETING OF MEETING OF STATES STATES 2007 – 2010 Intersessional Process PARTIES PARTIES SEVENTH REVIEW CONFERENCE Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
Mandate and features • Mandate to “discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on” specific topics related to better implementation of the BTWC • Objective is sharing information and experience, identifying best practices, improving effectiveness of the BTWC • Chair for each year nominated by regional groups in rotation • Implementation Support Unit coordinates preparations, prepares background papers, etc • Meetings do not take binding decisions, but do reach “common understandings” on key areas for “effective action” (= de facto guidelines) • Reports of the Meetings of States Parties are a useful resource for BTWC national implementation efforts Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
BWC intersessional work program BIOSAFETY & BIOSECURITY OVERSIGHT, EDUCATION & OUTREACH RESPONSE TO USE OR THREAT OF USE 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION REGIONAL ACTIVITIES/COOP. CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND CONTAINMENT Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
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 BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
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 BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
2008 common understandings: oversight/awareness OVERSIGHT EDUCATION & AWARENESS NEXT STEPS FOR CHARACTERISTICS RAISING COMPONENTS CODES OF CONDUCT • Complement national legislative, Develop national oversight Formal requirements for seminars, frameworks: modules or courses in relevant regulatory and oversight • To prevent agents and toxins scientific education and training frameworks • Help guide science so it is not being used as weapons programmes that: • To oversee relevant people, • Explain the risks associated with used for prohibited purposes • Further develop strategies to materials, knowledge and the malign use of biology • Cover moral & ethical obligations information encourage voluntary adoption of • To oversee the entire scientific • Provide guidance on the types of codes life cycle activities which could be • To cover private & public sectors prohibited • That are proportional to risk • Are supported by accessible • That avoid unnecessary burdens teaching materials, seminars, • That are practical and usable workshops, publications and • That do not unduly restrict audio-visual materials • Address leading scientists, permitted activities • With the involvement of managers and future generations stakeholders in all stages of of scientists • Can be integrated into existing design and implementation • That can be harmonised national, regional and regionally and internationally international efforts Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
Biothreats: the 21st Century view • Government biological weapons programs • Non-state actors: bioterrorism • Naturally-occurring, emerging and re-emerging disease • Rapidly growing biotech capabilities, shrinking costs, and widely expanding interest, participation, availability and access – Unintended consequences, experiments gone wrong – Accidents, leaks, mistakes – or deliberate misuse or sabotage (bio-terror vs. bio-error) – Awareness and management of risks lagging far behind Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and BWC BTWC: Current topics Stockpiling of Bacteriological Amman, 24-27 January 2011 (Biological) and Toxin Weapons IMPLEMENTATION and on their Destruction SUPPORT UNIT
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