BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, BIOLOGY AND THE BAN Countering the evolving threat posed by biological weapons BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT UNIT
4 QUESTIONS 1. What are biological weapons? 2. What threat do they pose? 3. How is the threat evolving? 4. What are we doing about it? BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT UNIT
WHAT ARE BIOWEAPONS
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IN INTERNATIONAL LAW 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; 1. help 2. Weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict. BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT UNIT
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES 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 BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT UNIT
WHAT IS THE THREAT? THREAT HUMAN INTERVENTION
RISK VULNERABILITY
CAPABILITY
INTENT
HAZARD
CAPACITY
IMPACT LIKELIHOOD
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BIORISK SPECTRUM “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 Natural disease outbreak
Unintended consequences
Accidents
Negligence
Vandalism / sabotage
Deliberate use of BW
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IMPACT
IMPACT
Global
Natural
Accidental Influenza Pandemic Accidental release of Smallpox
Rinderpest Outbreak in Free area
Individual
Deliberate
Warfare
Accidental Anthrax Outbreak
Terrorism
Infecting myself with a cold My last cold
Sabotage / Assassination
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HUMAN INTERVENTION
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AN EVOLVING THREAT?
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SCALE OF BIOLOGY
Slide courtesy of Jim Thomas, ETC Group
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SPREAD OF BIOLOGY
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SCOPE OF BIOLOGY
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INTANGIBLE BIOLOGY
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WHAT ARE WE DOING?
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A NEW APPROACH Nuclear Weapons
Chemical Weapons
Biological Weapons
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
Chemical Weapons Convention
Biological Weapons Convention
International Atomic Energy Agency
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
?
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A NETWORK MODEL BWC
INTERPOL SCR 1540
State
Professional associations
OIE
WHO
FAO
ISU
Industry
State
Scientific organizations
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BUILDING THE NETWORK
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A NEW PROCESS • NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION
• BIOSAFETY & BIOSECURITY
• BIOSECURITY
• OVERSIGHT, EDUCATION & OUTREACH
• NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION • REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
RESPONSE TO USE OR THREAT OF USE
2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 • DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS, & CONTAINMENT • RESPONSE TO USE OR THREAT OF USE
CODES OF CONDUCT
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND CONTAINMENT
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Amb. Masood Khan, President of the Sixth Review Conference of the BWC
The [BWC] work programme‌ started to develop the necessary network of collaboration and coordination: a network that must weave international, regional and domestic strands into a flexible and resilient fabric of oversight and prevention.
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NEW RESULTS
o th ng tre t
fT ex t
COMMON UNDERSTANDINGS
en tm mi om
Inc re
fc
as ing Vo lum eo
Final Documents of Review Conferences (Politically binding obligations)
s ing as
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
re Inc
BWC
Text of the Convention (Legally binding obligations)
Intersessional Processes (Shared national positions)
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This is multilateralism as it should be: flexible, responsive, creative and dynamic; and above all, focused on overcoming obstacles and delivering results
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