What are Biological Weapons?
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (BWC)
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (known as BTWC or BWC) is the cornerstone of the international efforts to prevent disease from ever being used as a weapon. When the Convention entered into force in 1975, it was the first Treaty ever to ban an entire category of weapons. Today the BWC has 184 States as members. The Ninth Review Conference of the BTWC takes place between 28 November and 16 December 2022. The Review Conference is a unique opportunity to reinforce the global norm against biological weapons and to further develop the BTWC to prevent misuse of biological agents and of developments in science and technology while promoting their peaceful use.
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Besides addressing disarmament and security issues, the BWC also supports the promotion of the peaceful uses of biological science and technology and thereby helps to prevent the global spread of diseases.
Article X of the Convention states that countries “have the right to participate in, the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the use of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins for peaceful purposes.” and that “Parties to the Convention in a position to do so shall also co-operate in contributing individually or together with other States or international organisations to the further development and application of scientific discoveries in the field of bacteriology (biology) for the prevention of disease, or for other peaceful purposes.”
Moreover, bilateral and multilateral cooperation in biological research is strongly encouraged by World Health Organisation and in recent years it has played a key role in the development of vaccines and medication against many dangerous contagious diseases such as d AIDS, Ebola anCovid-19.
THE EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORT TO STREGTHENING OF BIOSECURITY GLOBALLY
The European Union is strongly engaged in international efforts to improve biosafety and biosecurity around the globe.
In line with EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the EU has since 2004 provided nearly EUR 12 million in support of the BWC. This support has focused notably on capacity-building and awareness-raising. As the latest addition to this support, the EU adopted in November 2021, in the context of the G7 Global Partnership against the spread of weapons of mass destruction, a Decision providing EUR 2 million for building resilience in biosafety and biosecurity through the BTWC in Africa against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the EU currently provides approximately EUR 4 million in support to strengthening biosafety and biosecurity in Ukraine as well as in a number of countries in Latin America in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) which obliges all UN Member States to refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to acquire nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, in particular for terrorist purposes. The resolution requires all States to take the necessary measures and to adopt and enforce appropriate laws to this effect.
The EU also currently provides EUR 1.4 million in support of the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism for the investigation of alleged use of chemical and biological weapons, which is the only existing international instrument for investigation of alleged use of biological weapons.
Moreover, EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative is an external civilian security programme focusing on the mitigation of risks and threats related to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material, stemming from accidental, natural or criminal sources. Established in 2010, the initiative currently includes 64 partner countries grouped into eight Regions. Since 2010, 25 projects (out of a total of 82) have focused specifically on addressing biological risks, while other projects have integrated biological risks as part of a CBRN all-hazard approach.
