IMPLEMENTING THE CWC AND THE AUSTRALIA GROUP Mr Ian McConville Director, Nuclear Policy Section Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Branch International Security Division
THE PROLIFERATION THREAT • States have inadvertently contributed to illicit trade in sensitive goods used to make WMD or their delivery systems. • Illicit procurers act like criminals who will look for the weakest link. • Normal trade can be exploited by those who would proliferate WMD. • Financial systems can also be exploited. • The CWC is foundational in setting the basic standard for States in countering-proliferation. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
THE CW PROLIFERATION CONTEXT • The OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism found that the Syrian Government was responsible for three and ISIL for one chemical weapons attack. • CW is still a significant problem for the international community. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION • Aims to eliminate an entire category of WMD. • By prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties. • States Parties have also agreed to create a verification regime for certain toxic chemicals and their precursors to ensure that such chemicals are only used for purposes not prohibited. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
HOW DOES AUSTRALIA FULFIL ITS CWC OBLIGATIONS? • Measures to account for and control items. • Physical protection measures. • Border controls. • Law enforcement. • Export and transhipment controls. • Cooperation with other States. • Membership and leadership of international architecture, including export control regimes. – E.g. the Australia Group. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
AUSTRALIA’S INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK • Australia is a member of the four major export control regimes: – Nuclear Suppliers Group – nuclear weapons; – Missile Technology Control Regime – ballistic missiles; – Wassenaar Arrangement – conventional weapons; and – The Australia Group – chemical and biological weapons. • Australia is the permanent chair of the Australia Group. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIA GROUP? • The Australia Group (AG) is an informal forum of 42 participants, which through the harmonisation of export controls is seeking to ensure their exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons. • Helps States meet their international obligations: – Chemical l Weapons Con onvention; – Biological Weapons Convention; and – United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
AUSTRALIA GROUP ORIGINS • In 1984 the world discovered Iraq had produced and used chemical weapons. • Australia Group was created in 1985 to stop legitimate trade being diverted to chemical weapons production. • In the early 1990s UN investigations discovered that Iraq had a biological weapons program. • Consequently, export controls were expanded to include biological weapons. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
PROMOTE EXPORT CONTROLS • The Australia Group encourages all countries to implement measures similar to AG controls to limit the spread of CBW. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
AUSTRALIA GROUP ENGAGEMENT • Engagement with: – non-members countries – industry – academia – civil society • Highlighting the threat of state and non-state actors acquiring chemical/biological weapons. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
THE AUSTRALIA GROUP IN ASIA • Many countries in the region already implement or are looking to implement AG or AG-type controls. • Exporting countries look positively on recipient states that have export control arrangements. • High-technology companies are more likely to invest in states that have robust export control arrangements. • The AG has undertaken outreach to a number of Asian countries: • 2016: Hong Kong and Taipei. • 2015: Kazakhstan, Thailand and Vietnam. • 2014: Indonesia, India, Singapore, Myanmar, Taipei and the Philippines Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
AUSTRALIA GROUP INTERSESSIONAL 2017 • The AG Intersessional was 14 – 16 February in Buenos Aires and the key takeaways were: • Discussion around how best to meet modern challenges: – Unmanned Aerial Delivery Systems etc. • Australia Group Dialogue including outreach to a number of Latin American countries: – Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
HOW THE AG SUPPORTS THE CWC? • Guidelines. • Control Lists and Dual-use Items Lists. • Denials. • Promotion - The AG encourages all countries to implement measures similar to AG controls to limit the spread of CBW. • Harmonising Controls and Enforcement Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
AUSTRALIA GROUP ASSISTANCE • The Australia Group Chair and Secretariat can assist with: • Providing information about the Australia Group. • Facilitating specific requests for practical technical assistance. • Facilitating contacts with export control experts in Australia Group countries. Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
AUSTRALIA GROUP ASSISTANCE • Australia Group Secretariat can be contacted: • through any Australian Embassy or • through email to annette.berriman@dfat.gov.au. • Australia Group website • www.australiagroup.net • in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Spanish Impl plemen enting ng the CWC WC and d the Aust stral alia a Gr Grou oup
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