Strengthening Global Biosecurity in a Rapidly Evolving Technological Landscape: from the 23rd ROK-UN Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-proliferation IssuesOrganizer: ROK & UNODA
Speakers:
Mr. Daniel Feakes, Chief, BWC-ISU
Ms. Hawon Lee / MOFA, RoK
Description:
The 23rd ROK-UN Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues invited Member States from Asia and the Pacific and beyond to discuss the future of the international biological security regime. The Side-event will discuss the result of the conference and convey the discussions and recommendations provided by experts and officials from this 1.5 track conference.
Flyer
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided. 13:15-14:45Room V
Training Courses of the Russian Federation on the BWC Article XOrganizer: Russian Federation
Speakers:
Mr. Konstantin Vorontsov/ MFA
Ms. Elena Boiko/MoH
Mr. Nikita Lebedev/Rosselkhoznadzor,
Mr. Alexandr Letiushev/Rospotrebnadzor,
Mr. Dmitry Lioznov/MoH,
Description: Contribution of National Institutions and Organisations in implementation of Programs conducted in the Framework of the BWC Assistance and Cooperation Database
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room III
An International Agency for Biological SecurityOrganizer: Kazakhstan
Speakers:
H.E. Mr. Yerlan Alimbayev, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN in Geneva;
Mr Husham Ahmed, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva, Friend of the Chair;
Ms María Garzón Maceda, Associate Researcher, WMD Programme, UNIDIR;
Amb Sergey Batsanov, Director of Pugwash Geneva Office, Member of Pugwash Council, Chairman of the Advisory Centre for Global Biosecurity Studies of the St. Petersburg State University;
Dr Kazunobu Kojima, Medical Officer – biosafety and biosecurity, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP), WHO.
Moderated by Mr Marc Finaud, consultant
Description: The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, commonly referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), represents a significant international agreement aimed at eliminating the threat posed by biological weapons. The establishment of the International Agency for Biological Safety (IABS) further underscores the commitment to preventing the misuse of biological materials for harmful purposes.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
Details can be found here. 13:15-14:45Room V
Strengthening National Implementation of Biosecurity: Uganda’s experience from Strategy to Coordination and Pathogen ControlOrganizer: Uganda
Speakers: TBC
Description: This side event will explore Uganda’s experience with national biosecurity implementation, starting with strategic frameworks and moving towards international norm adaptation and multi-sectoral coordination. The discussion will include examples of successful coordination efforts and outbreak management, with a closing reflection from an international partner on building sustainable biosecurity systems. This session aims to demonstrate how national implementation efforts align with the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) while fostering international collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
13:15-14:45Room III
Proposal for the establishment of an international platform dedicated to biosecurity and biosafety: SecBioOrganizer: France
Speakers:
Mrs. Lou Lachenal / MoD France
Mr. Guillaume Hersen / MoD France
Mr. Quentin Chollet / MFA France
S.E.M. Yackoley K. Johnson / Permanent Mission of Togo in Geneva
Mr Henri Manga NDIAYE, chargée d'affaires a.i. / Permanent Mission of Senegal in Geneva
Description:
Presentation by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces of the new features of the SecBio platform, which aims to improve the overall level of biosafety and biosecurity for practitioners and facilities by centralizing all national and international standards and practices in a one-stop shop and making them available to all States Parties, as well as its training features.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
9:00-9:45Room V
Science-policy synergies for the Biological Weapons ConventionOrganizer: International Science Council
Speakers:
Anne-Sophie Stevance / ISC
Frederique Guerin / GSPI
Otim Onapa / Busitema University
Sandra Lopez-Verges / Gorgas Institute
Shambhavi Naik / Takshashila Institution
Ali Asy / Animal Health Institute
Irma Makalinao / University of the Philippines
Levent Kenar / University of Health Sciences
Zabta Khan / Federal Urdu University
Laura Cochrane / Emergent BioSolutions
Sana Zakaria / RAND Europe
Description: The side event will present insights from Science-Policy interfaces designed to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and support a robust science-policy framework within its context. The discussion will contribute to the ongoing Working Group deliberations on enhancing Compliance and Verification (C&V), Science and Technology (S&T) mechanisms, and International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) within the BWC.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room V
Presentation of the capabilities of the Gamaleya National Research Center and the Smorodintsev Research Institute in terms of the BTWC ImplementationOrganizer:Russian Federation
Speakers:
Mr. Konstantin Vorontsov/ MFA
Mr. Vladimir Gushchin/MoH
Mr. Dmitry Lioznov/MoH
Description: Presentation of activities of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N.F. Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room III
Bridging Health, Security, and Innovation: Driving a Safe and Secure 100 Days Mission to Deter Deliberate Biological Threats.Organizer: IBBIS &CEPI:
Speakers:
Richard Hatchett / CEPI
Piers Millet / IBBIS
Izumi Nakamitsu / UNODA [Invited]
Jens Stoltenberg / MSC [invited]
Soumya Swaminathan / former WHO [invited]
Moderated by:
Andrew Hebbeler / CEPI
Description: For the past several years the BWC Strengthening Working Group has met in Geneva in advance of the BWC Meeting of States Parties to bring attention to the issue of global biological non-proliferation and reducing global biosecurity vulnerabilities. While the global health community has embraced the 100 Days Mission (100 DM) as a health priority, there is insufficient awareness among global security stakeholders of the relevance of 100 DM capabilities in neutralizing infectious threats, regardless of whether they emerge naturally, accidentally, or deliberately. Building on CEPI’s launch of its first-ever biosecurity strategy during UN General Assembly High-level Week in New York in September 2024, CEPI will combine forces with IBBIS, the world’s only non-governmental organization dedicated to promulgating biosecurity best practices, and the BWC ISU, which promotes global progress toward BWC goals to host this meeting. The discussion will convene security stakeholders, including from government, civil society, and industry, who will focus on how to elevate the 100DM as a global biosecurity priority, raise awareness of AI biosecurity risks, and drive concrete approaches to reduce AI biosecurity threats in support of BWC objectives. As artificial intelligence continues to transform the biosecurity landscape, this event will highlight the growing need for global cooperation, including Global South partners, in mitigating AI-driven biosecurity threats. It will offer a platform for discussion on enhancing AI governance, strengthening pathogen detection, early warning, outbreak attribution, and response systems, and securing dual use technologies. By aligning these initiatives with the goals of the BWC, the event will help fortify the international frameworks that are essential for safeguarding global health security in an era of increasing pandemic risk and rapid technological advancements.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room V
Options for BWC verificationOrganizer: UNIDIR
Speakers: https://unidir.org/bwcwg-verif
Description: This side event to the Fifth Session of the Working Group will explore and discuss the focus and function of BWC verification as well as options for moving forward.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided. 13:15-14:45Room III
Countering WMD Disinformation – A GP Initiative to Strengthen Disarmament Efforts and Pre-Bunk CBRN Disinformation AttacksOrganizer: Canada & JHCHS
Speakers:
Trevor Smith/ Canada
Lucia Mullen/ JHCHS
Amy Robertson / KCL
Annie Sundelson/ JHCHS
Dr. Gemma Boswher / KCL
Marcy Fowler / ONN
Description: CBRN disinformation campaigns significantly undermine international disarmament treaties and multilateral institutions. Such attacks hamper our collective international cooperation and assistance efforts. This event intends to provide an update on the newly established Global Partnership effort to counter state-sponsored and state-adjacent disinformation on biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear threats. Activities, analysis and solutions will be presented by initiative implementers that intend to support Member States in identifying, pre-empting and countering CBRN disinformation to preserve and improve global non-proliferation progress.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room V
BWC Assurance – International Cooperation & AssistanceOrganizer: JHCHS
Speakers:
Dr. Gigi Gronvall / JHCHS
Matthew Shearer / JHCHS
Rachel Vahey / JHCHS
Description: Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security will present preliminary findings from our ongoing study on strengthening international cooperation and assistance, including under BWC Article X.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room III
Information Session-Update on WHO Deliberate Event Preparedness and ResponseOrganizer: WHO
Speakers:
Johny Nehmé/ WHO
Philip Bacchus/ WHO
Sophie Allain-Ioos/ WHO
Veronica Rovegno/ WHO
Moderated by:
Nahoko Shindo/ WHO
Description: In light of the evolving global threat landscape, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively updating its preparedness and response plans for major biological deliberate events. This side event aims to provide updates on WHO activities to strengthen its capacity to detect, risk assess, respond and coordinate in case of major biological deliberate events.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
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Concept Note
Presentation 9:00-9:45Room V
Notes from Spiez Convergence 2024Organizer: Switzerland
Speakers:
Ambassador Julien Thöni / FDFA
Laurin van der Haegen / FDFA
Sophie Reiners / ETH Zürich
Maximilian Brackmann / Spiez Laboratory
Description: Spiez Convergence is a conference series that provides a platform to discuss new developments in science and technology that may affect the regimes governing the prohibition of chemical and biological weapons. We will present a summary of the topics discussed at this year's event.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
9:00-9:45Room III
The Role of Gene Synthesis Screening in Reducing BiothreatsOrganizer: JHCHS
Speakers:
Amanda Mui / JHCHS
Dr. Gigi Gronvall / JHCHS
Dr. Weiwen Zhang / Tianjin University
Dr. James Diggans / Twist Bioscience
Description: This session will focus on the evolving security landscape around gene synthesis screening, how it is relevant to the BWC, and what strategies are being undertaken by industry, governments, and research institutions to prevent misuse of gene synthesis technologies.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room III
Disincentivizing Bioweapons: Theory and Policy ApproachesOrganizer:NTI | bio
Speakers:
Dr. Nathan A. Paxton / NTI | bio
Dr. Jaime Yassif / NTI | bio
Dr. James Revill / UNIDIR
Prof. Michelle Bentley / University of London
Dr. Tristan Volpe / Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Description: The dual-use nature of modern bioscience and the significant financial resources available to many states make it challenging to prevent the development of biological weapons through traditional controls on materials or knowledge. To address this, NTI | bio has commissioned an essay collection focused on shaping incentives to disincentivize states from pursuing bioweapons capabilities—an area with far less developed discourse compared to nuclear deterrence. This event will highlight the importance of fostering rigorous policy discussions around preventing biological weapons proliferation. By exploring innovative solutions and encouraging a more analytical approach to complex global biosecurity challenges, the goal is to bridge theory and practical policy efforts to invigorate international efforts to reduce biological threats. Join us to engage with these critical issues and help kick-start new approaches to global bioweapons policy.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room V
Presentation of IAP 'Proof-of-Concept' exercise for a Scientific Advisory Body to the BWCOrganizer: InterAcademy Partnership
Speakers:
Peter Babigumira/ Uganda
Maria Garzon Maceda/UNIDIR
Ljupčo Gjorgjinski/ North Macedonia
Moderated by:
Peter McGrath/IAP
Description: The session will present details a proof-of-concept exercise for establishing a Science and Technology (S&T) advisory mechanism within the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC). The exercise, conducted by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the U.S. National Academies (NASEM) simulated a hybrid advisory model comprising an open-ended body (through an online meeting in November 2023) and a limited-size expert group meeting held on 26-28 February 2024 in Trieste, Italy. The simulation addressed critical procedural aspects, such as topic selection, expert diversity and transparency. Due to its topicality, the exercise focused on the integration of artificial intelligence with life sciences. The organisers affirm that such a hybrid mechanism could enhance the BWC's ability to navigate emerging biosecurity challenges by providing independent, expert-driven analyses and promoting international cooperation. The report concludes that the proposed advisory mechanism is feasible and valuable, offering a robust framework for future BWC decision-making.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room III
Biological Weapons in the Age of Synthetic Biology: A Call for Awareness raising and educationOrganizer: Hamburg University
Speakers:
Dr. Dunja Manal Sabra/Hamburg University
Dr. Johannes L. Frieß/BOKU Vienna
Dr. Jeremias Gunnar/Hamburg University
Description: The side event will start with an input (20 min.) covering the most important findings of our recent project "Synthetic bioweapons - Biosafety assessment of the convergence of synthetic biology with new/innovative technologies", followed by an interactive part (10 min) to engage the audience with a thought experiment to raise awareness through sensitization, and will end with a discussion (15 min.).
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
9:00-9:45Room III
Strengthening Global Response to Biological Threats: Joint INTERPOL-WHO EffortsOrganizer: INTERPOL&WHO
Speakers:
Mr. Adrien Sivignon / INTERPOL
Dr Cédric Invernizz / Spiez Laboratory
Dr. Nahoko Shindo / WHO
Dr. Tom Inglesby / JHCHS & WHO-TAG
Moderated by:
Ms. Camille Scotto de César / INTERPOL
Description: Join INTERPOL and WHO for a joint side event, where the INTERPOL Bioterrorism Prevention Unit will present its updated list of Biological Agents and Toxins of concern for animal and human populations. A representative from a country that contributed to the list's development will share their national perspective, and WHO will discuss plans to update its guidance on public health response to biological weapons to reflect the new list. The event will also mark the signing of a cooperation agreement between WHO and INTERPOL, strengthening their partnership in combating biological threats.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
Flyer 13:15-14:45Room V
Bilateral cooperation Brazil-Peru on biosecurity and biosafetyOrganizer: Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the Conference on Disarmament & Permanent Delegation of Peru to the UN Office in Geneva
Speakers: TBC
Description: With the support of the OAS, Brazil and Peru developed a program along 2024, which consisted in Bilateral Meetings on the implementation of the BWC and of Resolution 1540. Lessons learned from this productive exercise will be shared with delegates to the V Meeting of the WG on the Strengthening of the BWC.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room III
Enhancing Transparency for Bioscience Research & DevelopmentOrganizer: NTI | bio
Speakers:
Dr. Jaime Yassif / NTI | bio
Mr. David Stiefel / NTI | bio
Dr. James Diggans / Twist Bioscience
Ms. Musonda Mandona / Zambia
Description: As the international community grapples with the rapid advances in bioscience and biotechnology, the potential misuse of these tools for developing biological weapons remains a critical challenge. While these innovations hold great promise, there are insufficient global mechanisms to monitor whether states are utilizing them for peaceful or harmful purposes, raising urgent questions about how to prevent biological weapons development. In response to the political momentum created by the Ninth Review Conference in 2022, NTI | bio has actively explored ways to enhance transparency, verification, and confidence-building measures to strengthen compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Join us to explore the outcomes of recent international discussions and workshops, where experts proposed innovative solutions to enhance transparency within the BWC. Key topics will include how enhanced transparency measures—such as the scientific and technical collection and analysis of data—can reduce the risk of misperceptions in bioscience research and development. The event will also cover the processes for gathering such data and the institutional structures that support these efforts.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be provided.
13:15-14:45Room V
