Overview
Rules of Procedure
Communications from the MSP Chairman
Information for participants
Registration
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2019 Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention was chaired by Ambassador Yann Hwang of France with Ambassador Adrian Vierita of Romania and Ambassador Andreano Erwin of Indonesia as the two Vice-Chairs.
The Meeting of States Parties took place in Room XVII from 3 to 6 December 2019 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The 2018-2020 intersessional programme was intended to discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on those issues identified for inclusion in the intersessional programme. The work in the intersessional period was guided by the aim of strengthening the implementation of all articles of the Convention in order to better respond to current challenges.
The 2019 Meeting of States Parties considered the factual reports of the Meetings of Experts which took place in July and August 2019, as well as a report from the Chair on universalization activities and the annual report of the Implementation Support Unit. It was also responsible for managing the intersessional programme, including taking necessary measures with respect to budgetary and financial matters by consensus with a view to ensuring the proper implementation of the intersessional programme. The Meeting of States Parties also approved the office-holders for the 2020 BWC meetings and the dates for the BWC meetings to take place in 2020. In addition, the Meeting considered the arrangements for the Ninth BWC Review Conference which is scheduled to take place in 2021.
Livestream on UN Web TV
The proceedings of the 2019 BWC Meeting of States Parties were livestreamed via UN Web TV Please check the UN Web TV homepage for the live video feed and for archived recordings.
Rules of Procedure
All meetings will be subject mutatis mutandis to the rules of procedure of the Eighth Review Conference.
BWC/CONF.VIII/2 - Draft Rules of Procedures adopted at the Eighth Review Conference
(available in all six official UN languages)
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2012 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 10 to 14 December 2012. The meeting opened at 10:00 on Monday 10 December in Room XVIII.
The Meeting of States Parties was chaired by Ambassador Boujemâa Delmi of Algeria. In accordance with the decision of the Seventh Review Conference, the Meeting of States Parties considered the work of the Meeting of Experts (16-20 July 2012).on the three standing agenda items (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; and strengthening national implementation), as well as the biennial item of how to enable fuller participation in the Confidence-building Measures (CBMs).
Report of the Meeting of States Parties - BWC/MSP/2012/5
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2007 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 10 to 14 December 2007. Ninety-five States Parties and six signatories participated in the meeting, which was chaired by Ambassador Masood Khan of Pakistan. In accordance with the decision of the Sixth Review Conference, the Meeting of States Parties considered the work of the Meeting of Experts (20-24 August 2007) to discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on:
1. Ways and means to enhance national implementation, including enforcement of national legislation, strengthening of national institutions and coordination among national law enforcement institutions.
2. Regional and sub-regional cooperation on implementation of the Convention.
Outcome of the Meeting of States Parties: The meeting concluded on 14 December by adopting its report by consensus.
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2009 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 7 to 11 December 2009. It was chaired by Ambassador Marius Grinius of Canada. The meeting opened at 10:00 on Monday 7 December and closed at 17.00 on Friday 11 December. In accordance with the decision of the Sixth Review Conference, the Meeting of States Parties, with a view to enhancing international cooperation, assistance and exchange in biological sciences and technology for peaceful purposes, discussed, and promoted common understanding and effective action on promoting capacity building in the fields of disease surveillance, detection, diagnosis, and containment of infectious diseases:
- For States Parties in need of assistance, identifying requirements and requests for capacity enhancement; and
- From States Parties in a position to do so, and international organizations, opportunities for providing assistance related to these fields.
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2010 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 6 to 10 December 2010. It was chaired by Ambassador Pedro Oyarce of Chile. In accordance with the decision of the Sixth Review Conference, the Meeting of States Parties discussed, and promoted common understanding and effective action on the provision of assistance and coordination with relevant organizations upon request by any State Party in the case of alleged use of biological or toxin weapons, including improving national capabilities for disease surveillance, detection and diagnosis and public health systems. The Meeting of States Parties discussed and further developed the work of the Meeting of Experts held in August.
BWC/MSP/2010/6 Report of the 2010 Meeting of States Parties
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2008 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 1 to 5 December 2008. It was chaired by Ambassador Georgi Avramchev of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In accordance with the decision of the Sixth Review Conference, the Meeting of States Parties considered the work of the Meeting of Experts to discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on:
1. National, regional and international measures to improve biosafety and biosecurity, including laboratory safety and security of pathogens and toxins.
2. Oversight, education, awareness raising, and adoption and/or development of codes of conduct with the aim of preventing misuse in the context of advances in bio-science and bio-technology research with the potential of use for purposes prohibited by the Convention.
Report of the Meeting
The report of the Meeting of States Parties was adopted on Friday 5 December 2008 by consensus:
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2014 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 1 to 5 December 2014. The meeting opened at 10:00 on Monday 1 December in Room XVIII and closed on Friday 5 December.
The Meeting of States Parties was chaired by Ambassador Urs Schmid of Switzerland. In accordance with the decision of the Seventh Review Conference, the meeting considered the work of the Meeting of Experts (4-8 August 2014) on the three standing agenda items (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; and strengthening national implementation), as well as the biennial item of how to strengthen implementation of Article VII.
The 2014 Meeting of States Parties ended on 5 December 2014. A press release is available here.
Report of the Meeting of States Parties
The report is now available in all UN languages:
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2015 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 14 to 18 December 2015. The meeting opened at 10:00 on Monday 14 December in Room XVIII and closed on Friday 18 December.
The Meeting of States Parties was chaired by Ambassador Mazlan Muhammad of Malaysia. In accordance with the decision of the Seventh Review Conference, the meeting considered the work of theMeeting of Experts (10 - 14 August 2015) on the three standing agenda items (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; and strengthening national implementation), as well as the biennial item of how to strengthen implementation of Article VII.
The Meeting also approved arrangements for the Eighth Review Conference and its Preparatory Committee which will take place in 2016.
Information in the following sections will be updated as it becomes available.
Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Overview
The 2013 Meeting of States Parties was held in the Palais des Nations from 9 to 13 December 2013. The meeting opened at 10:00 on Monday 9 December in Room XVIII and closed on Friday 13 December.
The Meeting of States Parties was chaired by Ms. Judit Körömi of Hungary. In accordance with the decision of the Seventh Review Conference, the meeting considered the work of the Meeting of Experts (12-16 August 2013) on the the three standing agenda items (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; and strengthening national implementation), as well as the biennial item of how to enable fuller participation in the Confidence-building Measures (CBMs).
Report of the Meeting of States Parties
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