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:

• The Biological Weapons Convention
• BWC Brochure – The Biological Weapons Convention: an introduction
• BWC/CONF.IX/9 – Final document of the Ninth Review Conference

To go further

• UNIDIR, Preparing for Success at the Ninth Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Review Conference
• UNIDIR, Stakeholder Perspectives on the Biological Weapons Convention
• UNIDIR, Compliance and Enforcement in the Biological Weapons Regime
• Glossary of terms related to the BWC

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

• Warmbrod. K. L., Revill. J., Connell. N. 2020. “Advances in Science and Technology in the Life Sciences: Implications for Biosecurity and Arms Control”. Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR.
• BWC/CONF.IX/WP.61 –Advocating Responsible Biological Research: the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists
• BWC/CONF.IX/WP.65 – Draft Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure toward the development of a BWC Science and Technology Advisory Process

To go further

• J. Revill, A. Anand and G. Persi Paoli, Exploring Science and Technology Review Mechanisms Under the Biological Weapons Convention, Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2021,

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

• Developing a Common Global Baseline for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening, Nicole E. Wheeler, Sarah R. Carter, Tessa Alexanian, Christopher Isaac, Jaime Yassif, and Piers Millet
• How to protect the world from ultra-targeted biological weapons, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Filippa Lentzos, December 7, 2020
• Megan Palmer: We must build a world where everyone, everywhere, can build with biology, interview that took place during the World Economic Forum’s Great Narrative meeting in Dubai, London School of Economics, Megan J. Palmer, December 15, 2021

To go further

• There’s a ‘ChatGPT’ for biology. What could go wrong? Bulletin of Atomic Scinetists, Sean Ekins, Filippa Lentzos, Max Brackmann, Cédric Invernizzi | March 24, 2023

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

• Developing a Comprehensive, Adaptive, and International Biosafety and Biosecurity Program for Advanced Biotechnology: The iGEM Experience

Post-Readings

• The Dual-Use Education Gap: Awareness and Education of Life Science Researchers on Nonpathogen-Related Dual-Use Research
• Dual Use of Artificial Intelligence-powered Drug Discovery
• Insidious Insights: Implications of viral vector engineering for pathogen enhancement

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

Reading List

• James Revill and María Garzón Maceda (eds.), “Options for International Cooperation under Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention”, UNIDIR, Geneva, 2022.
• 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

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