1. International Efforts to Mitigate Biological Threats
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
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

2. 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
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

3. BWC facts and figures
Opened for signature in 1972; entered into force in 1975
Current membership:
163 States Parties
13 signatories
19 states neither signed nor ratified
No BWC organisation or implementing body (in contrast to CWC/OPCW, NPT/IAEA, CTBT/CTBTO)
Implementation Support Unit is new development
No verification mechanism (cf. CWC, CTBT)
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

4. BWC: key provisions
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 a 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
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

5. Strengthening the BWC
Review Conferences every five years (1980, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 – next one in 2011)
Confidence-building Measures (CBMs) introduced 1986, expanded 1991
Attempt to negotiate protocol from
Failure in 2001 sparks crisis, reorientation
2006 Review Conference consolidates new direction
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

6. Sixth Review Conference (2006)
Establishes Implementation Support Unit
New intersessional work program
Calls on BWC States Parties to:
implement appropriate transfer measures, including effective national export controls
take measures to ensure that relevant biological agents and toxins are protected and safeguarded
promote the development of training and education programs for those working with relevant biological agents and toxins
encourage development of codes of conduct and self-regulatory mechanisms, and promote awareness among relevant professionals of the need to report suspicious activities
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

7. New direction
Focus on improving and coordinating national implementation of BWC
Annual work programme deals with specific topics; exchange of technical expertise
Range of different actors and organisations involved
Implementation Support Unit coordinates activity
Renewed focus on CBMs, universalization
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

8. 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
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

9. Biological threat reduction network
BWC
WHO
FAO
OIE
INTERPOL
SCR 1540
Work
Program
ISU
State
State
Professional
associations
Industry
Scientific
organisations
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

10. UNSCR Resolution 1540
Adopted 2004, renewed 1673 (2006) and 1810 (2008)
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
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

11. 1540: formal links to BWC
Affirms “support for the multilateral treaties whose aim is to eliminate or prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and the importance for all States parties to these treaties to implement them fully in order to promote international stability” (pp 5)
Welcomes the non-proliferation commitments and efforts made under these treaties, in particular in securing sensitive materials (pp 6 &11)
Calls on states to promote the universal adoption and full implementation of the treaties (op 8)
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

12. BWC: formal links to 1540
Sixth RevCon (2006) recognized the “contribution of full and effective implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 by all states to assist in achieving the objectives of this Convention”.
Final Declaration on BWC Art. IV (national implementation) also explicitly refers to Resolution 1540
notes that information provided by states in accordance with Resolution 1540 may provide a useful resource for fulfilling their Art. IV obligations
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

13. Implementing SCR 1540 Reporting Legislation and other measures
on steps taken and planned
matrix for each state: analysis of requirements
Legislation and other measures
Implementing legislation for WMD treaties (incl. BWC)
Measures for accountability and security of sensitive materials; border protection; export controls.
Enforcement
Onus on states: monitored by 1540 Committee
Promotion of dialogue and cooperation among governmental agencies not traditionally in arms control
Customs and law enforcement, eg, to improve border security
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

14. Assistance for 1540 implementation
Where Next Steps/Action Plans indicate assistance requirements, IGOs and States have assistance delivery programs: eg, for legislation, training and equipment.
Regional organizations, eg, ASEAN, OSCE, OAS, CIS, can provide political support and forums for sharing experiences and lessons learned; some NGOs can deliver specific project assistance.
1540 Committee has clearing house role and can match requests/offers.
Assistance Template available on website ( to facilitate process.
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

15. Biological threat reduction network
BWC
WHO
FAO
OIE
INTERPOL
SCR 1540
Work
Program
ISU
State
State
Professional
associations
Industry
Scientific
organisations
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

16. BWC intersessional work program
Mandate to “discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on” specific topics related to better implementation of the BWC
Runs from 2007 to 2010 (7th RevCon in 2011)
Two meetings each year: Meeting of Experts mid-year; Meeting of States Parties in December
Wide range of participants: objective is sharing information and experience, identifying best practices, improving effectiveness of the BWC
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

17. BWC intersessional work program
BIOSAFETY & BIOSECURITY
OVERSIGHT, EDUCATION & OUTREACH
RESPONSE TO USE OR THREAT OF USE
2007
2008
2009
2010
NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DISEASE
SURVEILLANCE, DETECTION,
DIAGNOSIS, AND CONTAINMENT
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

18. 2008: common understandings: biosafety/biosecurity
COMPONENTS
TOOLS
CHARACTERISTICS
ASSISTANCE NEEDED
Developing national biosafety and biosecurity frameworks
Defining the role of different national agencies and bodies
Building national, regional and international networks of relevant stakeholders
Taking better advantage of assistance already available
Improving bilateral, regional and international cooperation to build relevant capacity
Enhancing the role played by the ISU
Accreditation
Certification
Audit or licensing for facilities, organisations or individuals
Training requirements for staff members
Mechanisms to check qualifications, expertise and training
National criteria for relevant activities
National lists of relevant agents, equipment and other resources
Measures should:
Be practical
Be sustainable
Be enforceable
Be readily understood
Be developed with stakeholders
Avoid unduly restricting peaceful use
Be adapted for local needs
Be appropriate for agents being handled
Be suitable for work being undertaken
Make use of risk assessment, management and communication approaches
To enact and improve relevant legislation
To strengthen laboratory infrastructure, technology, security and management
To conduct courses and provide training
To help incorporate biosafety and biosecurity into existing efforts to address disease
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

19. 2008: common understandings: oversight/awareness
OVERSIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
EDUCATION & AWARENESS RAISING COMPONENTS
NEXT STEPS FOR
CODES OF CONDUCT
Develop national oversight frameworks:
To prevent agents and toxins being used as weapons
To oversee relevant people, materials, knowledge and information
To oversee the entire scientific life cycle
To cover private & public sectors
That are proportional to risk
That avoid unnecessary burdens
That are practical and usable
That do not unduly restrict permitted activities
With the involvement of stakeholders in all stages of design and implementation
That can be harmonised regionally and internationally
Formal requirements for seminars, modules or courses in relevant scientific education and training programmes that:
Explain the risks associated with the malign use of biology
Cover moral & ethical obligations
Provide guidance on the types of activities which could be prohibited
Are supported by accessible teaching materials, seminars, workshops, publications and audio-visual materials
Address leading scientists, managers and future generations of scientists
Can be integrated into existing national, regional and international efforts
Complement national legislative, regulatory and oversight frameworks
Help guide science so it is not used for prohibited purposes
Further develop strategies to encourage voluntary adoption of codes
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

20. BWC intersessional program 2009
Two meetings in Geneva:
Meeting of Experts, August 2009
Meeting of States Parties, 7-11 December 2009
Topic: “promoting capacity building in the fields of disease surveillance, detection, diagnosis, and containment of infectious diseases”
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

21. The Implementation Support Unit (ISU)
“Help States Parties help themselves”
Officially operational in August 2007
Housed in Geneva Branch of UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
Funded by BWC States Parties
Three full-time staff
To be reviewed by Seventh Review Conference in 2011
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

22. Mandate of the ISU 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 confidence-building measures (CBMs)
Support universalization activities
Support implementation of decisions and recommendations of Sixth Review Conference
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

23. ISU resources Website: http://www.unog.ch/bwc
includes restricted area for States Parties
official and informal documents, useful links
National Implementation Database
over 2000 measures from 116 States Parties
Confidence-building measures (CBMs)
online forms in six languages
tips and advice on participation, sample submissions
submitted CBMs available in restricted area
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

24. Types of assistance National implementation
Drafting legislation and regulations
Designing administrative systems
Training and capacity-building
Confidence-building measures (CBMs)
Advice and “coaching”
On-site assistance to prepare first submission
Participation in intersessional process
Travel to Geneva for expert meetings
Anything else related to improving implementation of the Convention…
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

25. Biological threat reduction network
BWC
WHO
FAO
OIE
INTERPOL
SCR 1540
Work
Program
ISU
State
State
Professional
associations
Industry
Scientific
organisations
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

26. 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
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009

27. Further information:
BWC Implementation Support Unit
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Geneva Branch)
Room C.115, Palais des Nations
Geneva
tel: +41 (0)
fax: +41 (0)
web:
ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Biological Threat Reduction
Manila, June 2009