1. The Biological Weapons Convention Obligations and agreements, other international instruments, and building confidence
Richard Lennane
Head, BWC Implementation Support Unit
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Geneva Branch)
BWC
IMPLEMENTATION
SUPPORT UNIT
UNITED NATIONS
OFFICE FOR DISARMAMENT AFFAIRS
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

2. “Repugnant to the conscience of mankind”
Disease as a weapon?
“Repugnant to the conscience of mankind”
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

3. International response to the BW threat
1925 Geneva Protocol
Prohibits use of CW and BW in warfare
1972 Biological Weapons Convention
Prohibits development, production, stockpiling, acquisition, retention or transfer of BW
2004 UN Security Council Resolution 1540
Requires all states to take measures to prevent WMD (including BW) terrorism
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

4. BWC facts and figures
Opened for signature in 1972; entered into force in 1975
Current membership:
170 States Parties
10 signatories
16 states neither signed nor ratified
Main provisions:
completely prohibits any acquisition or retention of biological or toxin weapons; no exceptions
prohibits assisting or encouraging others to acquire BW
requires national implementation measures
peaceful uses of biological science and technology to be protected and encouraged
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

5. 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
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

6. BWC strengths and weaknesses
Clear, comprehensive ban: no exceptions, few loopholes
Strong international norm, never publicly challenged
Futureproof (so far...)
Weaknesses:
No organisation or implementing body
No systematic monitoring of implementation or compliance
No systematic assessment of needs or provision of assistance
Uneven national implementation
No mechanism for investigating alleged violations
Conceived to deal with state-based BW programs: covers bioterrorism only indirectly
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

7. Direction of the BWC since 2002
Focus on improving and coordinating national implementation
Annual work programme deals with specific topics; exchange of technical expertise
Range of different actors and organisations involved
Implementation Support Unit coordinates activity
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

8. Why this direction?
Failure in 2001 of effort to negotiate a protocol to strengthen the BWC
Bioterrorism becomes major concern after September 11, 2001
Rapidly growing biotech capabilities, shrinking costs, and widely expanding interest, participation, availability and access
Unintended consequences, experiments gone wrong
Accidents, leaks, mistakes – or deliberate misuse or sabotage (bio-terror vs. bio-error)
Awareness and management of risks lagging far behind
Concern about naturally-occurring, emerging and re-emerging disease
Recognition of interconnection of BW with other biological risks
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

9. Weapons of Mass Destruction
Nuclear
Weapons
Non-proliferation
Treaty
International
Atomic Energy
Agency
Chemical
Weapons
Convention
Organization for
the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons
Biological
Weapons
Convention ?
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

10. The Spectrum of Biological Risk
WHO
BWC
Natural disease outbreak
Deliberate use of BW
Unintended consequences
Accidents
Vandalism, sabotage
Negligence
“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
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

11. WMD regime: traditional model
Treaty
Organisation
State
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

12. BWC approach: a network model
WHO
FAO
OIE
INTERPOL
SCR 1540
Work
Program
ISU
State
State
Professional
associations
Industry
Scientific
organisations
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

13. Components – WHO, OIE and FAO
WHO, OIE and FAO set standards and guidelines on biosafety and biosecurity, and offer:
manuals, reference materials and online resources
advice, training and capacity-building
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

14. Components – INTERPOL
INTERPOL Bioterrorism Program started in 2004 to:
raise awareness of the threat
develop police training programs
strengthen efforts to enforce existing legislation
promote the development of new legislation
encourage inter-agency co-operation on bioterrorism
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

15. Components - UNSCR Resolution 1540
Adopted 2004, renewed 1673 (2006), 1810 (2008) and 1977 (2011)
imposes binding obligations on all States to establish domestic controls
prevents proliferation of NCB weapons by establishing controls over related materials
encourages enhanced international cooperation
promotes universal adherence to WMD treaties
Committee under UN Security Council
Supported by group of experts
Committee maintains database on implementation
Committee acts as a clearing house for assistance
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

16. A shared responsibility
“Governments alone cannot confront the risks posed by biological weapons ... to manage the full spectrum of biological risks, you need a cohesive, coordinated network of activities and resources. Such a network will help to ensure that biological science and technology can be safely and securely developed for the benefit of all.”
- Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, 2008
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

17. Seventh Review Conference: outcomes
Final Declaration, including guidance on implementation
New, re-structured intersessional programme ( ):
Three “standing agenda items”
also considers CBMs ( ) and Article VII ( )
vice-chairs
Revised CBM forms
Database for assistance requests and offers
Sponsorship programme
ISU mandate renewed until 2016
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

18. New intersessional programme
Mandate remains to “discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on” specific topics related to better implementation of the BWC
Runs from 2012 to 2015 (8th RevCon in 2016)
Two meetings each year: Meeting of Experts mid-year (12-16 August 2013); Meeting of States Parties in December (9-13 December 2013)
Wide range of participants: objective is sharing information and experience, identifying best practices, improving effectiveness of the BWC
Cost is shared by all States Parties, regardless of participation
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

19. New intersessional programme
Three standing agenda items (considered every year):
Cooperation and assistance, with a particular focus on strengthening cooperation and assistance under Article X
Review of developments in the field of science and technology related to the Convention
Strengthening national implementation
Other topics:
How to enable fuller participation in the CBMs (2012 and 2013)
How to strengthen implementation of Article VII, including consideration of detailed procedures and mechanisms for the provision of assistance and cooperation by States Parties (2014 and 2015)
Universalization, ISU report (every year)
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

20. Confidence-building Measures (CBMs)
Annual exchange of information “in order to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ambiguities, doubts and suspicions and in order to improve international cooperation in the field of peaceful biological activities”
Agreed by review conference: States Parties “are to implement” the measures
Set of six forms to be completed and submitted to the ISU by 15 April each year
Seventh RevCon revised the forms
Submitted CBMs published on restricted area of ISU website
Guide available to help (now updated to match revised forms)
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

21. Implementation Support Unit (ISU)
Small, 3-person unit in UNODA, funded entirely by BWC States Parties
Mandate:
“Help States Parties help themselves”
Provide administrative support for BWC meetings
Facilitate communication among States Parties and with relevant organizations
Support national implementation efforts
Act as “clearing house” for offers of and requests for assistance, administer database
Administer confidence-building measures (CBMs)
Support universalization activities
Support implementation of decisions and recommendations of 6th and 7th Review Conferences
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

22. The future: challenges and questions
Evolving BW threat: technological advances (e.g. synthetic biology), capability spreading fast
Can the “network approach” assure compliance? What about verification, investigation?
Coordination (e.g. with SCR 1540, CWC and WHO IHR implementation) remains uneven
Universalization of BWC: 170 members, still lags behind NPT and CWC
Disparities in national implementation; low CBM participation
Effective provision of assistance: ISU helps, but demand greater than supply, coordination lacking
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013

23. www.unog.ch/bwc For more information… Or contact:
BWC Implementation Support Unit
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
Room 61, Palais des Nations
Geneva
tel: +41 (0)
fax: +41 (0)
Regional Workshop on National Implementation of the BWC for Eastern Europe
Kyiv, Ukraine May 2013