Preparing for the Deliberate Use of Biological Weapons: The Relevance of the Biological Weapons Convention to Southeast Asia Regional Workshop for ASEAN States Parties to the BWC On Preparedness to Respond to the Deliberate Use of Biological Weapons UNESCAP 6 – 7 June 2019, Bangkok, Thailand Dr. Alex Lampalzer Deputy Chief, BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
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.”
The Biological Weapons Convention in a Nutshell prohibits development , production , stockpiling , acquisition , retention or transfer of BWs • opened for signature on 10/04/72, EiF on 26/03/75 • First multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of WMD • Non-discriminatory in nature • Unlimited duration and open to any state 182 States Parties • No verification regime; no own, 5 Signatories separate int. organization 10 States not party • Intersessional Work Programmes, decisions by consensus
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
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 • Offers a mechanism for consultation and cooperation in solving any problems • Builds transparency through Confidence Building Measures
Continued Political Support for the BWC 200 178 165 155 146 132 150 124 118 103 103 102 94 87 100 78 77 114 63 53 93 78 50 69 68 65 58 40 0 RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6 RC7 RC8 1980 1986 1991 1996 2001/02 2006 2011 2016 SPs Participating SPs PrepCom Participating SPs RevCon 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 17 new States Parties since 2012
Resources to facilitate Treaty implementation Weapon Category Nuclear Biological Chemical Treaty (Status) NPT CTBT BWC CWC States Parties to the 191 168 182 193 Treaty Verification Organisation IAEA CTBTO - OPCW Budget (Mio., 2019) € 371.8 $ 70,9 $1,52 € 69,7 € 49,8 Personnel (approx.) 2,560 275 3 462
BWC Finances - $ 1,519,800 Assessed Contribution (USD) Arrears (USD) 7,708 6,837 4,925 4,451 2,261.57 2,524 1,682.59 1,550.24 892.59 801.09 510.51 461.46 709.1 397.8 887 136.8 444 153 61 46 Measures taken in 2018 to address financial predictability and sustainability: Status as at 30/05/2019: • Assessed contributions: $1,354,110 (89.1%) • BWC Working Capital Fund: $166,594 (21,9% of target level) Considerable interest to strengthen preparedness, implementation and cooperation/assistance - vol. contributions • EU-Council Decision 2019/97, Global Partnership, FR, JPN, NOR
How does the BWC work? • No international verification regime • No separate international organization • States Parties obliged to translate the commitments found in the Convention into effective national action • Intersessional work programmes between the Review Conferences that include annual Meetings of Experts and Meetings of States Parties • Highest Organ: Review Conference • Chair 2019 Meeting of States Parties : • Amb. Yann Hwang (France) • Three regional groups: • Eastern European Group (Poland) • NAM (Venezuela) • Western Group (Australia) • Three Depositaries • Budget : $1,519,800 for 2019
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)
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 • 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
Status Quo BWC National Contact Points ASEAN Member States
Confidence Building Measures CBM A: o Part 1: research centres and laboratories o Part 2: Natl. biological defence R&D programmes CBM B: Info on outbreaks of infectious diseases and similar occurrences, that seem to deviate from the normal pattern CBM C: Encouragement of publication of results and promotion of use of knowledge CBM E: legislation, regulations and other measures CBM F: past activities in offensive and/or defensive biological research and development programmes CBM G: vaccine production facilities
Status Quo BWC Confidence Building Measures – ASEAN MSs 12 11 10 9 8 8 6 4 4 4 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 BWC Confidence Building Measures – SE Asia Previous submissions CBM Report submitted in 2019
BWC Cooperation & Assistance Database 61 active offers made by ten SPs and one group of SPs Australia Group
BWC Cooperation & Assistance Database 43 active requests from 12 SPs
EU Council Decision 2019/97 (CFSP) in support of the BWC 1. Support for BWC universalization 2. Capacity development in support of BWC implementation 3. Fostering biosecurity networks in the Global South 4. Support for the ISP and 9th RevCon 2021 5. Preparedness to prevent and respond to BW attacks 6. Enabling tools for outreach, education and engagement
Opportunities to strengthen preparedness and response capacities in in SE-Asia (I) Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Regional BWC Workshop 1: Preparedness Bangkok, Thailand 6-7 June 2019 3 natl. experts/10 ASEAN MSs Regional BWC Workshop 2: Response Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1-2 October 2019 3 natl. experts/10 ASEAN MSs Regional BWC Workshop 3: Assistance and Cooperation Manila, Philippines Early 2020 3 natl. experts/10 ASEAN MSs
Upcoming Opportunities to advance natl. implementation in SE-Asia (II) Workshop for BWC National Contact Points (NCPs) • Roles and responsibilities of NCPs • Nat’l. implementation framework including BWC related legislation • Preparation of Confidence Building Measures • Opportunities for regional cooperation and assistance • Sharing of good practices & info exchange Target group of participants • BWC NCPs in SE-Asia • Relevant reg. and int. organizations • Academia, NGOs • Biosafety/Biosecurity Associations in the region Workshop planned to be held in end Oct/early Nov 2019 in Viet Nam
ASEAN Member States and the BWC Political interest by SE-Asian SPs in the BWC • Regular nomination of office holders from SE-Asia on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement • Vast majority of SE-Asian SPs regularly attend the BWC Meetings 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 Participation in 2017-2018 BWC Meetings Develop policy positions and share good practices • Consider national/reg. policy statements (Joint ASEAN statement MSP 2017) • Submit Working Paper(s) • Organize side events/showcase accomplishments/actions taken
Recommend
More recommend
