AU/UNODA Universalisation Workshop on the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Addis Ababa, 11-12 December 2018 Implementation of European Union Council Decision 2016/51 in support of the BWC Ana Izar Political Affairs Officer/EU Project Officer United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
European Union Council Decision 2016/51 - Background - • The EU adopted Council Decision 2016/51 in support of the BWC on 18 January 2016 in the framework of its Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. • This Council Decision is the fourth continuous EU initiative in support of the BWC over the last ten years (two EU Joint Actions and two Council Decisions), with its support amounting to more than 6.3 million euros.
EU support to BWC since 2006 -At a glance- • Workshops: 31, including 22 regional workshops, to discuss, amongst other topics, BWC universalisation, Confidence-Building Measures and capacity-building at the national and regional levels. • Financial support: Almost 30 countries, both parties and not parties to the BWC have received assistance through EU support since 2006, including 10 countries currently receiving support through the current Council Decision Extended Assistance Programmes (EAPs). • BWC membership: since 2006, 27 states have joined the Convention, with the total number now reaching 182. The last country to join the Convention was the Central African Republic, who officially deposited its ratification instrument on 25 September 2018 in Washington.
Council Decision 2016/51 -Projects at a glance- 1. Promoting universal adherence to the BWC 2. Enhancing interaction on Science and Technology 3. Developing national implementation capacities 4. Supporting the Eighth Review Conference 5. Strengthening the UN Secretary- General’s Mechanism 6. Developing awareness-raising tools
Project 1: Universalisation Project • To promote universal adherence to the BWC by encouraging States not party to better understand Purpose the benefit of joining the BWC and getting more involved in meetings and other activities • IGAD Universalisation Workshop: 3-4 October 2018 in Djibouti Activities • Workshop for Pacific Island States: 27-28 July 2017 in Fiji. Shortly after, on 21 September, Samoa acceded to the BWC. In June 2018, Niue also ratified the Convention • Universalisation Mission to Haiti: 21-23 March 2018 in Port- au-Prince Planned • AU-UNODA Universalisation Workshop on the BWC: 11-12 December 2018 in Addis Ababa Activities
Regional Workshop for the Pacific Region Nadi, Fij iji, i, 27-28 Ju July ly 2017
Regional Workshop for the Pacific Region - Focus - • The Regional Workshop for the Pacific Region focused on engaging regional island States not Party to the BWC Kiribati, Micronesia, Niue and Tuvalu with regional States Parties, including Fiji as the host, Australia, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa and Vanuatu; BWC depositaries such as the United States; and regional organisations such as the Pacific Island Forum. • The workshop allowed BWC States not Party to learn from the national experiences of States Parties on national implementation, international cooperation for peaceful purposes and confidence-building measures.
Regional Workshop for the Pacific Region - Achievements - • Shortly before the workshop, Samoa had deposited its instrument of accession to the BWC in Washington, well in preparation for the event. This allowed Samoa to share its experience with other Pacific islands who were not yet States Parties about the ratification process. • On 14 September 2018, Niue deposited its instrument of accession to the BWC in Washington. • A follow-up universalisation workshop will take place in Fiji this December, to sustain the universalisation efforts launched through this Council Decision with the first workshop in July 2017.
Universalisation Workshop for IGAD Member States Djibouti, 3-4 October 2018
IGAD Universalisation Workshop - Focus - • The Universalisation Workshop for IGAD Member States focused on engaging those IGAD countries who are not yet party to the BWC, Djibouti, Somalia and South Sudan, and raising their level of awareness about the Convention. • IGAD Member States Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan also participated in the workshop and shared their national experiences on national implementation of the BWC, assistance opportunities, ratification processes and building a national BWC architecture.
IGAD Universalisation Workshop - Achievements - • Djibouti has developed an Action Plan for the ratification of the BWC following the workshop, as well as an implementation roadmap in anticipation of its ratification. • Somalia and South Sudan have requested high-level in-country awareness raising assistance from UNODA in order to sensitise high-level officials and start working towards ratification of the BWC. South Sudan will participate in the MSP this year.
Universalisation as a priority The European Union is a strong supporter of the universalization of the BWC. Under this Council Decision, the EU has decided to promote "universal adherence to the Convention by encouraging States not party to better understand the benefits of joining the BWC and getting more involved in BWC meetings and other activities."
Universalisation as a priority The BWC Review Conferences have regularly asserted that increasing the membership of the BWC is of great importance. However, there are still 16 States not party to the BWC. On 25 September 2018, the Central African Republic deposited its instrument of accession to the BWC in Washington. As of this date, the Central African Republic is therefore the 182th State Party to the Convention. UNODA works closely with other relevant actors, including the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 Committee and relevant regional organizations to develop ongoing working relationships, provide tailored informational materials where necessary and advocate for universalization.
On 25 Se September 2018, th the Ce Central l Afr fric ican Republi lic became th the 182th BWC C St State Part rty aft fter deposit itin ing its its in instrument of ratif ific icatio ion in in Washin ington
Signatory States (deposit of instrument of ratification still required) • Egypt • Haiti • Somalia • Syrian Arab Republic • United Republic of Tanzania
Non-Signatory States (deposit of instrument of accession or succession still required) • Chad • Israel • Namibia • Comoros • Kiribati • South Sudan • Djibouti • Micronesia • Tuvalu (Federated • Eritrea States of)
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Regional Workshops on Science and Technology under European Union Council Decision 2016/51
Project 2: : Science and Technology Workshops Project Purpose • Enhanced interaction between the BWC process and non-governmental stakeholders through the organisation of regional workshops • Establishing a virtual network of experts drawn from the participants in the regional workshops The Science and Technology Workshops on the BWC • Regional Workshop for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (21-22 September 2017, Kiev/Ukraine) • Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean (16-17 April 2018, Mexico City/Mexico) • Regional Workshop for the Middle East and North Africa (11-12 July 2018, Amman/Jordan) • Regional Workshop for sub-Saharan Africa (25-26 July 2018, Pretoria/South Africa) • Regional Workshop for Asia (21-22 November, Manila/Philippines)
Project 2: : S&T Workshops - expected results - Increased awareness among the scientific community Broader and better Involvement of the understanding of scientific community scientific and in national technology issues implementation related to the BWC Increased regional and international Constructive input to cooperation in capacity the BWC science and building technology review
Science and Technology Workshop for Central Asia and Eastern Europe Kie Kiev, Ukrai aine/2 /21-22 Sep eptember r 2017 2017
Science and Technology Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean Mexi xico City ty, Mexi xico/16-17 Apri pril 2018
Science and Technology Workshop for the Middle East and North Africa Amman an, Jo Jordan/11-12 Jul July 2018
Science and Technology Workshop for sub-Saharan Africa Pretor oria ia, Sou outh Afric frica/2 /25-26 July July 2018
Scie ience and Technology Workshop for Asia ia Man anil ila, Phili hilippines/2 /21-22 November 2018 2018
Project 2: : S&T Workshops - main topics of f dis iscussion - Preparedness Institutional and response coordination capacities at mechanisms at national and the national regional levels level Public Lessons learnt awareness of from epidemic biosafety and and pandemic biosecurity outbreaks topics: sensitisation Developing BWC national architectures/ structures
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