Overview

  • The Second Session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention took place between 7 and 18 August 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. In line with the indicative schedule of activities adopted at the First Session of the Working Group in March 2023, the following topics were addressed:

  • - 7 to 9 August 2023: international cooperation and assistance
  • - 10 August 2023: international cooperation and assistance mechanism
  • - 11, 14 to 15 August 2023: scientific and technological developments
  • - 16 August 2023: science and technology review mechanism
  • - 17 to 18 August 2023: national implementation

The Working Group met in-person in Room XIX, in the E Building of the Palais des Nations, United Nations Office at Geneva, accessible via the Pregny Gate. Sessions took place from 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00 on the abovementioned dates.

All participants, except those already in possession of a UNOG security badge, need to register online by 21 July 2023.

Registration

Documents

2023-05-25 Chair's and ISUs letter to States Parties

Aide-Mémoire

2023-07-21 Chair's letter to States Parties

Indicative Timetable for the Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the BWC

BWC/WG/2/CRP.1 - Draft procedural report of the second session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention

BWC/WG/2/CRP.1/Rev.1 - Revised draft procedural report of the second session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention 

BWC/WG/2/1 - Procedural report of the second session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention

BWC/WG/2/CRP.2 - Proposed Considerations Related to the Development of an Article X Mechanism - Submitted by the Friends of the Chair on International Cooperation and Assistance

BWC/WG/2/CRP.3 - Compilation of Proposals Related to the Development of an Article X Mechanism - Submitted by the Chairperson of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention - Submitted by the Chairperson of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention

BWC/WG/2/CRP.4 - Compilation of Proposals Related to the Development of a Science and Technology Mechanism - Submitted by the Chairperson of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention

BWC/WG/2/CRP.5 - "Food for Thought” Non-Paper by the Friends of the Chair for the development of a Mechanism to Assess Scientific and Technological Developments Relevant to the BWC and Provide States Parties with Relevant Advice - Submitted by the Friends of the Chair

BWC/WG/2/MISC.1 - Provisional list of participants

BWC/WG/2/INF.1 - List of participants

BWC/WG/2/INF.1/Rev.1 - Revised list of participants

Working Papers

BWC/WG/2/WP.1 - ASEAN Member States’ Perspective on International Cooperation and Assistance Under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC) - Submitted by Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam)

BWC/WG/2/WP.2 - Assistance and Cooperation under Article X – Background and Options for Consideration - Submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

BWC/WG/2/WP.3 - Proposal for Establishing a Mechanism for Strengthening International Cooperation and Assistance - Submitted by Australia, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States

BWC/WG/2/WP.3/Rev.1 - Proposal for Establishing a Mechanism for Strengthening International Cooperation and Assistance - Submitted by Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Romania, United Kingdom, and United States

BWC/WG/2/WP.4 - Advances in Science and Technology: Background for Discussion of Measures to Strengthen the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/WG/2/WP.5 - Related activities and programmes conducted by relevant International Organizations and entities corresponding to possible measures to be discussed by the Working Group - Submitted by Japan

BWC/WG/2/WP.6 - Cooperation and Assistance Activities of International and Intergovernmental Organizations in Support of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention - Submitted by Canada and The Philippines

BWC/WG/2/WP.7 - Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction: Assistance, Cooperation and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) - Submitted by Japan, co-sponsored by Canada and Germany

BWC/WG/2/WP.8 - Advancements in Science and Technology Relevant to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention: Examples of developments relevant to a new structured science and technology review process - Submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

BWC/WG/2/WP.9 - Important Elements for the Establishment of a BTWC Science and Technology Review Process - Submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

BWC/WG/2/WP.10 - 2023 United Kingdom Biological Security Strategy - Submitted by United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

BWC/WG/2/WP.11 - Proposals for Strengthening the Implementation of Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention - Submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran

BWC/WG/2/WP.12 - Advances in the Field of Biological Science and Technology and Urgent Need to Maximize their Availability to Developing Countries - Submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran

BWC/WG/2/WP.13 - Proposal for Cooperation and Assistance Mechanism under Article X - Submitted by Pakistan

BWC/WG/2/WP.14 - Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses under the Framework of the Biological Weapons Convention - Submitted by China

BWC/WG/2/WP.15 - Contemporary Challenges to the Objectives of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BTWC) Related to the Development of Synthetic Biology Technologies and Practical Approaches to Overcome them - Submitted by the Russian Federation

BWC/WG/2/WP.16 - Strengthening the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction. Proposal for the establishment of a Scientific Advisory Committee - Submitted by the Russian Federation

BWC/WG/2/WP.17 - National Implementation by the Russian Federation of the Obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction - Submitted by the Russian Federation

BWC/WG/2/WP.18 - International Cooperation of the Russian Federation under Article X of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction -Submitted by the Russian Federation

BWC/WG/2/WP.19 - Review mechanism for science and technology developments - Submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran

BWC/WG/2/WP.20 - Measures to Strengthen National Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention: Information, Expectations, and International Cooperation - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/WG/2/WP.21 - Establishment of a Cooperation Committee to facilitate and support the full implementation of international cooperation and assistance under Article X - Submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran

BWC/WG/2/WP.22 - Considerations regarding an International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) Action Plan - Submitted by Georgia, Malawi, Norway, and the Philippines

BWC/WG/2/WP.23 - Enhancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment as an Integral Part of the Institutional Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) - Submitted by Panama

BWC/WG/2/WP.24 - Engaging the Next Generation Leaders in Global Biosecurity. Proposals for strengthening youth participation in the Biological Weapons Convention - Submitted by Kenya and Panama 

BWC/WG/2/WP.25 - Questions of the Russian Federation to the United States and Ukraine regarding the compliance with their obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BTWC) in the context of the activities of biological laboratories in the territory of Ukraine - Submitted by the Russian Federation

BWC/WG/2/WP.26 - Improving the National System of Biological Safety and Biological Security as an Element of Strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) - Submitted by Ukraine

BWC/WG/2/WP.27 - Measures on Scientific and Technological Developments Relevant to the Convention - Submitted by the Republic of Azerbaijan on behalf of the Group of the Non-Aligned Movement and Other States to the BWC

Side Events

07
August2023
Youth for Biosecurity - Poster Exhibition & competitionOrganizer: UNODA
Exhibition outside Room XIX (to remain there for the entire duration of the WG meeting);
Reception to take place on the balcony outside of Room XIX
13:15-14:45Outside Room XIX
10
August2023
Addressing the Misuse of Biology and Bioterrorism through National ImplementationOrganizers: Kenya, the Philippines, and the United States
Description: The Governments of Kenya, Philippines, and the United States of America are pleased to invite you to a side-event to showcase how international cooperation and assistance promotes the national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention. A panel of experts will share their experiences in promoting national implementation of the Convention, particularly focusing on preventing bioterrorism and the role of international cooperation projects.
Welcome & Opening Remarks:
- Dr. Beatrice N. Muganda, Principle Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Amb. Kenneth Ward, U.S. Special Representative to the Biological Weapons Convention, Department of State, United States
The Expert Panel will be moderated by Dr. Danielle Lohman (United States, Department of State):
- Dr. Samuel Edwin: Director of the Division of Select Agents and Toxins, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
Presentation can be downloaded here
- Dr. Irma R. Makalinao: Professor and Coordinator for CBRN Health Security Initiatives, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila
Presentation can be downloaded here
- Prof. Walter O. Oyawa: Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and the BWC National Focal Point for Kenya
Presentation can be downloaded here
Join the meeting from this link

13:15-14:45Room XXII
11
August2023
International Youth Day – Celebrating the next generation’s contributions to biosecurity and disarmamentOrganizer: UNODA
13:15-14:45Room XXII
14
August2023
The BWC Global Forum: Biotech, Biosecurity & BeyondOrganizers: Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
Speakers:
- Dr. Gigi Kwik Gronvall, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security & Host, BWC Global Forum podcast, USA
- Mr. Matthew P. Shearer, Associate Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security & Guest Host, BWC Global Forum podcast, USA
- Ms. Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, IKP Knowledge Park, India
- Dr. Diah Iskandriati, Biosafety Officer, Primate Research Center, Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia
Description: The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security will record—live and on-site—an episode for the BWC Global Forum podcast, which serves as a growing repository for technical expertise on emerging biological capabilities, including potential benefits and risks associated with the BWC. This episode will feature a far-ranging conversation addressing the role of screening processes in mitigating risks associated with gene synthesis, the use of tabletop exercises to identify gaps in safety and oversight mechanisms, and perspectives from leaders in active research institutions.
13:15-14:45Room XXII
15
August2023
Live launch of the UNIDIR & VERTIC BWC National Implementation Measures DatabaseOrganizer: UNIDIR & VERTIC
Join the meeting from this link
13:15-14:45Room XXII
18
August2023
Looking Forward to Measures on Compliance and VerificationOrganizer: UNIDIR
Description:In December 2023, the Working Group on the Strengthening of the BWC will consider the topic of “measures on compliance and verification”. This is the first time in more than 20 years that verification is officially on the agenda for discussion in the BWC.
To stimulate thinking on verification of the BWC ahead of the Third Session of the Working Group, UNIDIR is organizing an informal discussion on the topic of verification.
The event will consist of a short opening presentation, followed by an interactive discussion around the concept of BWC verification, tools and technologies that could contribute to any contemporary verification regime, and factors to consider in preparing for the Working Group discussion around “measures on compliance and verification”
13:15-14:45 Room XXII

Multimedia

Videos

Remarks from Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs

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