Introduction to The Biological Weapons Convention “Engaging Young Scientists from the Global South in Biosecurity Diplomacy” 3 August 2019 Daniel Feakes Chief, BWC Implementation Support Unit
WEF Global Risks Report 2019 “The world is badly under-prepared for even modest biological threats. We are vulnerable to potentially huge impacts on individual lives, societal well-being, economic activity and national security. Revolutionary new biotechnologies promise miraculous advances, but they also create daunting challenges of oversight and control.”
“Determined, for the sake of all mankind, to exclude completely the possibility of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins being used as weapons” “Convinced that such use would be repugnant to the conscience of mankind and that no effort should be spared to minimise this risk”
What is the Biological Weapons Convention all about? prohibits development , production , stockpiling , acquisition , retention or transfer of BWs • opened for signature on 10 April 1972 • EiF on 26 March 1975 • First multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of WMD • Cornerstone of multilateral 182 States Parties disarmament regime 5 Signatories • Non-discriminatory in nature 10 States not party • Unlimited duration • Open to any state
Article I Never under any circumstances to acquire or retain biological weapons Article II To destroy or divert to peaceful purposes biological weapons and associated resources prior to joining Article III Not to transfer, or in any way assist, encourage or induce anyone else to acquire or retain biological weapons Article IV To take any national measures necessary to implement the provisions of the BWC domestically Article V To consult bilaterally and multilaterally to solve any problems with the implementation of the BWC Article VI To request the UN Security Council to investigate alleged breaches of the BWC and to comply with its subsequent decisions Article VII To assist States which have been exposed to danger as a result of a violation of the BWC Article X To do all of the above in a way that encourages the peaceful uses of biological science and technology
The B BWC: Na Natio ional S l Security a and Arms C Control i l in t the A Age o of The BWC … The BWC … Biotechnology , D Danie iel M l M. Ger erstein in 6. … Provides a forum for coordinating preparedness and 1. … Eliminates an entire category of dangerous weapons response capabilities against a spectrum of biological agents 2. … Provides an unequivocal norm against the use of 7. … Is an arms control agreement that relates directly to public “The BWC is the most important arms control treaty of biological weapons health, the environment, food security and biodiversity the twenty-first century. Its reach goes well beyond 8. … Provides direct linkages to international security mechanisms 3. … Provides an international forum for dialogue concerning what one normally considers for an arms control treaty. biological defence issues 9. … Relates to dual-use capabilities in a way that no other arms control treaty does From the economy to public health to the environment 4. … Has an important economic dimension 10.… Has responsibilities for implementation that run the gambit to national security, the BWC has the potential to 5. … Is gaining more importance as the spectrum of biological from international organizations to the individual. impact our lives in very profound ways.” threats grows
What is the relevance of the BWC? • Provides an unequivocal norm against biological weapons • Sole multilateral forum for dialogue concerning all issues pertaining to BWs in a holistic manner • Facilitates assistance and cooperation at the bi- and multilateral level and helps building capacity • Supports the promotion of peaceful uses of biological S&T and facilitates assistance and cooperation to develop capacity • Offers a mechanism for consultation and cooperation in solving any problems • Builds transparency through Confidence-Building Measures
Why is the BWC important to all of us? • Biological weapons can be used not only to attack humans , but also livestock and crops • They can be deadly and highly contagious • Diseases caused by such weapons would not confine themselves to national borders and could spread rapidly around the world • 2014/2016 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa: • Lack of preparedness to respond to larger scale disease outbreaks • Highlighted the potentially dramatic consequences through the deliberate release of biological agents or toxins by state or non- state actors • Not only tragic loss of lives, but also devastating economic consequences All states are potentially at risk, and all benefit from joining the BWC
What is the threat posed by BWs? • Mass casualty BW attacks: tacit knowledge, access to state- run/supported programmes • Growing concerns that non-state actors, including terrorist groups, may obtain and use biological weapons • Terrorist attacks with BWs: more likely than state use, yet probably limited in actual casualties (however high psychological and societal impact) • Need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach - Close cooperation between the security, scientific, public health and agricultural sectors, industry, academia and civil society is required to take place at the national, regional and international levels BWC is the sole multilateral forum in which all aspects surrounding biological weapons can be discussed and addressed in a holistic manner
“ I view the threat of deadly pandemics right up there with nuclear war and climate change. Getting ready for a global pandemic is every bit as important as nuclear deterrence and avoiding a climate catastrophe . […] Whether it occurs by a quirk of nature or at the hand of a terrorist, epidemiologists say a fast-moving airborne pathogen could kill more than 30 million people in less than a year . And they say there is a reasonable probability the world will experience such an outbreak in the next 10-15 years.”
2018-2020 Intersessional Programme 5 Meetings of Experts (29 July - 8 August 2019) MX Topic Chair 1 (2d) Cooperation and assistance, with a particular focus on V. Dolidze, Georgia (TBC) strengthening cooperation and assistance under Article X 2 (2d) Review of developments in the field of science and Y. Nikolaichik, Belarus technology related to the Convention 3 (1d) Strengthening national implementation M. Reddiar, South Africa 4 (2d) Assistance, response and preparedness U. Jadoon, Pakistan 5 (1d) Institutional strengthening of the Convention L. Masmejean, Switzerland Annual Meeting of States Parties (3 - 6 December 2019)
Implementation Support Unit “A small, efficient and highly-focused unit, the ISU will coordinate, concentrate and magnify the efforts of the States Parties. It will harness resources, forge connections, develop networks and identify opportunities.” • First institutional presence for the BWC • Officially operational in August 2007 – 10 th anniversary • Housed in the Geneva Branch of the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs • Funded by assessed contributions from all BWC States Parties • Three full-time staff Total budget of the BWC in 2019 is USD 1.5 million (meetings plus ISU)
How is the BWC implemented? • Article IV: take any natl. measures necessary to prohibit and prevent the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition, or retention of agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means of delivery specified in Art. I of the BWC • States Parties are obliged to translate the commitments found in the Convention into effective national action • National implementation requires coordination and close cooperation among a number of government departments (whole of government approach) • Important role of industry, academia/universities and civil society • National Contact Points established under the BWC
National Implementation • Establish mechanisms for regular communication amongst key stakeholders (e.g. inter-ministerial committee)
National Implementation • Organize education, awareness- raising and outreach workshops
Training and Education
EU Council Decision 2019/97 (CFSP) in support of the BWC 1. Support for BWC universalization Four in-country universalisation activities Two regional workshops Sponsorship support for BWC Meetings Geneva 2. Capacity development in support of BWC implementation up to five beneficiary countries Up to three peer review exercises 3. Fostering biosecurity networks in the Global South Two seminars organised in Geneva Encouraging participation of women
EU Council Decision 2019/97 (CFSP) in support of the BWC 1. Support for the ISP and 9th RevCon 2021 Four regional workshops Int. S&T conference/Geneva Sponsorship support 2. Preparedness to prevent and respond to BW attacks Initial expert workshop Various training courses, TTXs, workshops 3. Enabling tools for outreach, education and engagement
“We must continue to strengthen our institutions to prevent any use of biological weapons, including by strengthening the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention, and to ensure that we can mount an adequate response in case prevention fails.”
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