Biosafety, Biosecurity and the Biological Weapons Convention Richard Lennane BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Geneva Branch) Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
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 • Entered into force in 1975 • Current membership: – 161 States Parties – 14 signatories (states signed but not yet ratified) – 20 states neither signed nor ratified Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
BWC Main Provisions • Do not acquire or retain biological or toxin weapons • Do not help or allow anyone else to acquire such weapons • Take necessary domestic measures to ensure such weapons are prohibited • Do all this in a way that encourages the peaceful uses of biological science and technology Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
And just what is a biological weapon? “(1) Microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production, of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes; (2) Weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.” - from Article I of the BWC Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
Dealing with Weapons of Mass Destruction Nuclear Chemical Biological Weapons Weapons Weapons Nuclear Chemical Biological Non-proliferation Weapons Weapons Treaty Convention Convention International Organization for ? Atomic Energy the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Agency Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
Strengthening the BWC (1) • Review Conferences every five years (1980, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 – next one in 2011) • VEREX group established 1991 to examine verification possibilities • Special Conference in 1994 establishes Ad Hoc Group to negotiate protocol • Ad Hoc Group negotiations end in failure in 2001; Fifth RevCon suspended Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
Strengthening the BWC (2) • Fifth RevCon resumes in 2002, agrees new process for 2003-2005 • Expert meetings consider specific topics related to improving implementation of the BWC • Exchange of information and experience, but no binding decisions • Reluctant agreement and modest expectations, but proved surprisingly successful Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
The New Process • 2003 meetings considered: – the adoption of necessary national measures to implement the prohibitions set forth in the Convention, including the enactment of penal legislation; – national mechanisms to establish and maintain the security and oversight of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins; • Found to be highly useful exercise for improving coordination within and between national systems; continued in 2004, 2005 • 2006 Sixth Review Conference commissioned second process for 2007-2010 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
So what changed? • Bioterrorism becomes major concern after September 11, 2001 • Rapid development, growth and spread of biotechnology capabilities – Nuclear weapons: 1000 facilities – Chemical weapons: 5000 facilities – Biological weapons: 100,000+? • Recognition of interconnection of BW with other biological risks Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
Weapons of Mass Destruction Nuclear Chemical Biological Weapons Weapons Weapons Nuclear Chemical Biological Non-proliferation Weapons Weapons Treaty Convention Convention International Organization for ? Atomic Energy the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Agency Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
The Spectrum of Biological Risk Natural Unintended Vandalism, Deliberate disease Accidents Negligence consequences sabotage use of BW outbreak WHO BWC “We must look at [the BWC] as part of an interlinked array of tools, designed to deal with an interlinked array of problems” – Kofi Annan, 2006 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
WMD Regime: Traditional Model Treaty Organisation State State State State State Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
New approach: a network model? BWC OIE INTERPOL WHO SCR 1540 FAO State State Professional Scientific Industry associations organisations Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
New approach: a network model? BWC OIE INTERPOL WHO SCR 1540 FAO Work Program State State ISU Professional Scientific Industry associations organisations Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
2008 Work Program Topics • National, regional and international measures to improve biosafety and biosecurity, including laboratory safety and security of pathogens and toxins. • Oversight, education, awareness raising, and adoption and/or development of codes of conduct with the aim of preventing misuse in the context of advances in bio- science and bio-technology research with the potential of use for purposes prohibited by the Convention. Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
BWC Meetings 2008 • Meeting of Experts, 18-22 August, Geneva • Meeting of States Parties, 1-5 December • Both meetings held at the United Nations Office at Geneva Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
The BWC Needs You! • We want to hear from biosafety and biosecurity professionals in: – Commercial industry – Academia – Professional and scientific bodies Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
For more information… www.unog.ch/bwc Or contact: 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 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and EBSA 11 th Annual Conference Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Florence, 2-4 April 2008 and on their Destruction
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