Year: 2024

Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship 2024 – Online Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop

Posted on by remi.bacouillard

The online Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop is the first part of the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship 2024. It is an interactive pre-Working Group training leading up to the field visit in Geneva in August 2024.

The online workshop consists of various weekly sessions, with each sessions focusing on specific issues related to the Convention and comprising a preparatory package including introductory videos and a reading list.

Please note that these course materials are aimed at a specialist professional audience. The views and opinions expressed in the course materials do not necessarily represent the official positions of the United Nations on any issue

Session 1 – Official opening and introduction to the Biological Weapons Convention

Please note that this introductory presentation was recorded in 2023 and some information is not updated.

Reading list:

To go further

Key learning objectives

  • Gain a practical understanding of BWC obligations and functioning, main strengths and weaknesses
  • Understand the state of multilateral discussions under the Convention and the processes of multilateral diplomacy

Session 2 – Science and technology developments 1/2 – Science diplomacy and governance challenges under the BWC

Reading List

To go further

Key learning objectives

  • Engage with senior experts on the biosecurity implications of fast-paced innovation in biotechnologies and discuss options on the table to address the issues under the BWC

Session 3 – Science and technology developments 2/2 – Safeguarding bioscience and biotechnology against misuse

Reading List

To go further

Key learning objectives

  • Gain understanding of options to reduce emerging biological risks associated with technology advances
  • Gain a practical understanding of the dual-use dilemma and discuss how to mitigate risks

Readings for the interactive activity

Pre-Reading

Post-Readings

Session 4 – National implementation of the BWC and international assistance and cooperation

Reading List

Key learning objectives

  • Gain understanding of current challenges for the effective implementation of the BWC at the national level
  • Understand current proposals for the development of an International Cooperation and Assistance mechanism under the Convention

News from 2023

Posted on by razy.amaneddine
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 31 December 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 30 November 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 30 September 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 31 August 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 31 July 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 30 June 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 31 May 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 30 April 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 31 March 2022.
  • Namibia acceded the BWC – The United Kingdom informed the ISU that the Republic of Namibia deposited its instrument of accession to the BWC in London on 25 February 2022. As of this date, the Republic of Namibia is therefore the 184th State Party to the Convention. 
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 28 February 2022.
  • Status of contributions – The Financial Resources Management Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has provided a summary of the financial contributions to the four disarmament conventions, as at 31 January 2022.
  • Nomination of the President of the Ninth Review Conference – On 28 January, the Vice-Chairs of the Preparatory Committee wrote this letter to BWC States Parties informing them that the Group of the Non-Aligned Movement and Other States Parties to the BWC had agreed to hand over its turn to nominate the President of the Ninth Review Conference to another regional group. Consultations on this issue will continue.
  • ISU sends out CBM reminder letter – On 15 January, the ISU sent a reminder letter to States Parties that the deadline for the submission of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) covering calendar year 2021 is 15 April 2022.