Overview
The Preparatory Committee was held in the Palais des Nations from 26 to 27 April 2016 and resumed its work from 8 to 12 August 2016.
The Preparatory Committee prepared the way for the Eighth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention, which took place in Geneva from 7 to 25 November 2016.
The Meeting of States Parties in December 2015 approved the nomination of Ambassador György Molnár of Hungary as President of the Review Conference and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee.
Communications from the President-Designate of the Review Conference, updates on his activities and contact details can be found on "Additional Information".
Side Events
Side Events
Tuesday 26 April
Royal Society and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP): Round Table Event to Explore Options for the S&T Review Process within the BTWC -- 10.00 to 17.30, Room XXVII
The Russian Federation: Strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention -- 13.00 to 15.00, Room XXV
1. Russian side event: Mobile Biomedical Units and Scientific Advisory Committee
4. Proposal for the establishment of a Scientific Advisory Committee
Wednesday 27 April
The United States of America: Discussion of U.S Proposals for Post Review Conference Work -- 09.00 to 10.00, Room XXV
The European Union: Launch of the New EU Council Decision in Support of the BWC -- 13.00 to 15.00, Room XXIII
Preparatory Committee 8 - 12 August 2016
Monday, 8 August 2016
Ukraine: Supporting Effective BWC Implementation: Education, Outreach, and Policy Adviсe, 13:30 to 15.00, Room XXII
Co-Chairs:
Serhiy Komisarenko, Academician-Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) and Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the NASU, Ukraine
Jo Husbands, Scholar, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, USA
Welcome and Introductions by the Co-Chairs
Presentations:
Awareness Raising & Education on Biosafety & Biosecurity in Ukraine: 2011-2016 Review
Professor Serhiy Komisarenko, Academician-Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU), Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the NASU, Ukraine
Understanding of BTWC by Academia in Developing Countries: The Example of Pakistan
Dr. Zabta ýKhan Shinwari, Secretary General, Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Chairman (Department of Biotechnology), Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Biosecurity and Nonproliferartion Fellowship: Perspectives for Mali
Dr. Kadiatou Dao, Research Assistant, Mali National Institute of Public Health Research and Deputy Secretary General, Malian Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity
EASAC Report on Gain of Function: Experimental Applications Relating to Potentially Pandemic Pathogens
Professor Bert Rimaý, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen`s University, Belfast, UK and European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC)
Contributions of IAP and Its Biosecurity Working Group to the BWC
Dr. Peter McGrath, Coordinator , IAP for Science & IAP for Health and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy
Q&A Session
Concluding Remarks by the Co-Chair
Biotechnology Innovation Organization: Partnering with Industry: Key Considerations for National Public Health Preparedness Planning,13:00 to 15:00, Room XXIII
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
Russian Federation: Establishing mobile biomedical units under the BWC: a multipurpose capability to strengthen collective security under the Convention and pursue its humanitarian mandate. 13:00 to 15:00, Room XXII
Russian Federation Working Paper
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
University of Pennsylvania: Promoting Norms through Knowledge: Roles and Mechanisms for Science and Technology Review in the BTWC. 13:00 to 15:00, Room XXII
Speakers:
- Nicholas Greig Evans, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Megan Joan Palmer, Senior Research Scholar and William J. Perry Fellow in International Security, Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), Stanford University
- Piers Millett, Principal, Biosecure
Thursday, 11 August 2016
The Harvard Sussex Program on Chemical and Biological Weapons: Options for Article X. 13:00 to 15:00, Room XXII
Speakers: James Revill and Caitriona McLeish
Additional Information
The BWC Meeting of States Parties in December 2015 approved the nomination of the Eastern European Group of Ambassador Dr. György Molnár of Hungary as President of the Eighth Review Conference and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee.
