Disarmament in Review
To mark the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention on 26 March 2025, a special commemorative event was organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs’ Geneva Branch and the BWC Implementation Support Unit. The event was organized with funding from the European Union.
Speakers from the diplomatic community, academia and civil society shared insights on the achievements, challenges and current trends related to the Convention, with presentations and interactive discussion on the Convention’s past, present and future. Many representatives of BWC States Parties attended and shared their views at the event.
- Opening Remarks
- Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu
- Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso
- Panel One: Reflections from the past fifty years
- Dr. Jean Pascal Zanders
- Ambassador Leonardo Bencini
- Panel Two: Current discussions and trends on the BWC
- Dr Filippa Lentzos
- Ambassador Frederico S. Duque Estrada Meyer
- Ms. Musonda Mandona
- Panel Three: Potential opportunities and challenges for the BWC in the future
- Dr. Jaime Yassif
- Mr. Peter Babigumira Ahabwe
- Dr. Sana Zakaria
- Closing Remarks
- Mr. Daniel Feakes
BWC States Parties also shared official statements to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Convention, including the three Depositary Governments (the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America). Several are available to read below:
Statements by the Depositary Governments
Statements and remarks by States Parties
A publication was produced by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, with the support of the European Union, to mark the historic occasion. Contributions from various stakeholders highlight the achievements and obstacles encountered over the past fifty years, as well as current discussions related to the strengthening of the Convention and potential future opportunities and challenges.
