Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

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  • The 2018 Meeting of States Parties (MSP) on Biological Weapons Convention: An Assessment

    It is extremely hard to assess prospects for the 2016 MSP. There have been a number of preparatory events in the run-up to this MSP. However, if there is no outcome from this Meeting of State Parties (MSPs), it is unlikely that agreement could be reached before 2021 BWC Review meeting. This MSP was the final chance for a BWC inter-sessional process. It is likely that governments will move activities to reduce deliberate biological threats away from the BWC. It would then be harder to promote discussions on the subject of deliberate biological threats. This would weaken the position of Geneva-based diplomats to influence policy on the BWC. And what would be the potential areas for future work for a programme on BWC between now and 2021 is now anyone's guess.

    July-December 2018

    The BWC Review: Issues and Challenges

    The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction usually referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), or Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) is the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning the production of an entire category of weapons, entering into force in 1975. The Eighth BWC Review Conference was recently held at Geneva from November 7-25, 2016, Unfortunately, it appears to have flattened for the lack of consensus among the member-states until the next conference in 2021.

    July-December 2016

    Beyond Forty Years of the BWC

    In shadow of many unprecedented terror attacks, disastrous toll taken by Ebola across the globe and dreadful spread of Swine Flu in India, the 40th anniversary of Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) was convened on 30 March 2015 in the Council Chamber of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the same place where the BWC was originally negotiated.

    January-June 2015

    The BWC and Industry: A Plea for Industry Outreach

    Seventh BWC Review Conference will provide the States Parties with an opportunity to move the next intersessional process (2012-2015) beyond simple discussion. It will expand the scope of biology’s peaceful uses while taking into account the impact of scientific and technological advances on the treaty.

    January-June 2011

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