News from 2013

• List of speakers for the Meeting of States Parties: the list of speakers for the General Debate on 9 December is now open. To inscribe, please send an e-mail to bwc@unog.ch, if possible providing the name of the speaker and noting any preferences for time.
• Chair writes to States Parties – On 20 November, the Chairman wrote to States Parties to seek their views on how best to capture the work done this year and to build upon the common understandings reached in the Report of the 2012 Meeting of States Parties.
• The current BWC Intersessional Programme and upcoming Meeting of States Parties: Context, issues and reflections – The Geneva Forum is holding an event on this topic on 28 November 2013 from 10:00-11:45 at the Palais des Nations (Room XXIII). This orientation briefing will start with an overview of the mandate, structure and mechanics of the BWC Intersessional Programme (ISP). It will then present an analysis of, and reflections on, common understandings achieved so far and possible future developments in the thematic areas covered by the current ISP. Finally, the briefing will address the question of compliance, particularly relating to recent discussions on, and proposals for, innovative compliance mechanisms.
• Chair visits Czech biodefence facility – on 9 September the Chairman visited the National Institute for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Protection in the Czech Republic, their leading institute for the development and research in the field of chemical, biological and radioactive agents and in the verification of the prohibition of chemical and biological weapons. During the visit the Chairman was also briefed on national experiences of implementing the Convention.
• Chair writes to States Parties – On 28 October, the Chairman wrote to States Parties to inform them of preparations for the Meeting of States Parties (including on the agenda, programme of work, and details for registering), the synthesis paper, submission and updates of information, views on the work and outcome of the forthcoming meeting, and next steps. Annexed to the letter were a draft provisional programme of work and the synthesis paper.
• Bridging Science and Security – The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, in collaboration with the Association of American Universities (AAU) and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), have hosted meetings with the biological sciences community to summarize important lessons learned, challenges faced, and areas for improvement of local and national-level biosecurity initiatives.
• Biological Material and Biosafety in the Framework of the Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention – Details are online for the above international regional seminar being held 9-11 October 2013 in Santiago, Chile.
• Chair writes to States Parties – on 28 June, the 2013 BWC Chair, Judit Koromu of Hungary, wrote to States Parties. The letter contained more detailed plans for the Meeting of Experts, including: an indicative schedule and provisional programme of work; more details on observers and Guests of the meeting; as well as information on registration and next steps.
• Chair briefs regional groups – on Wednesday 17 April the 2013 BWC Chair, Judit Koromu of Hungary, briefed the Eastern European Group (10.30), the Western Group (11.30) and the Group of NAM and Other States (15.00). Her comments covered plans for the Meeting of Experts, sponsorship and universalization, as well as background papers
• BWC reaches 170 States Parties – four states have joined so far in 2013: Cameroon on 18 January; Nauru on 5 March; Guyana on 26 March; and Malawi on 2 April.
• Nauru accedes to the Biological Weapons Convention – the United States, as Depositary Government, confirmed the accession of Nauru to the Convention on 5 March 2013. This brings the membership of the BWC to 168 States Parties.
• BWC 2013 Chairman writes to States Parties – on 18 February, the Chairman of the 2013 meetings of the BWC, Ms. Judit Körömi, wrote to States Parties to outline her plans for the year. The letter also included information on the sponsorship programme, universality and CBMs.
• Cameroon accedes to the Biological Weapons Convention – the United States, as Depositary Government, confirmed the accession of Cameroon to the Convention on 18 January 2013. This brings the membership of the BWC to 167 States Parties.