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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Universalizing the BWC Outreach Activities
Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of BW Beijing, 4-6 November 2010
Dr. Volker Beck Federal Foreign Office Germany
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their
Destruction ? signed 10 April 1972 ?
entered into force 26 March 1975
? 163 States Parties ? 13 Signatory States ?
19 States, not members or
signatories
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Universality (1)
? Why universality ? - BWC is the only
internationally recognized instrument that
bans all activities related to biological
weapons - universalization means getting
all States on board to make the norms
laid down in the BWC binding as international
law
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Universality (2)
? Universality tool box - UNSC
Resolutions, i.e. UNSCR 1540 (2004) -
UNGA Resolutions, i.e. 1st Committee on BWC
(HUN) - Summit statements by regional
and other fora (ASEAN, OAS, G8, G20,
etc.) - Workshops by GOV, intern. and
non-GOV organizations - ISU outreach
activities - Demarches by States Parties
to non-States Parties
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Universality (3)
? How to do it ? - concentrate on
selected non-States Parties - recall the
BWC as the only international legal instrument
banning all activities related to BW
- highlight the role of biological agents and
toxins for diagnostic and other
peaceful purposes, but also the possible misuse
of agents and toxins by States and
non-State actors - emphasize the problem
of using territories as safe haven for
brokerage and transshipment - offer
incentives - recall commitment to other
non-proliferation treaties (NPT, CWC) -
recall their statements during previous demarches
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Universality (4)
? Demarches to non-States Parties - Do
it jointly, i.e. representatives from States
Parties coming from the three
regional groups (NAMOthers, EEG,
WEOG) together - Do it sustainably, i.e.
repetitive on an annual basis - Offer
incentives, i.e. assistance in implementing
legislation, cooperation in improving
biosafety and biosecurity as well as
CBRN-preparedness
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Universality (5)
? German demarches to non-States Parties
- Looking for NAM and EEG partners for joint
demarches in -- Myanmar
-- Angola -- Malawi --
Namibia
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
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Strengthening International Efforts to Prevent
the Proliferation of Biological Weapons
Thank you for your attention!
The Role of the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention