UNODA’s work to facilitate and strengthen the implementation of the BWC is made possible by generous financial support and in-kind contributions from States Parties and international partner organizations. This voluntary support is essential for supporting efforts to implement the BWC and UNODA encourages interested organizations or States Parties to reach out should they wish to contribute.
Several States Parties which have provided support, including through the provision of training material, hosting of events and workshops, financial support, and in-kind contributions, include:
- Australia
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- India
- Japan
- Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
- Norway
- Philippines
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
International partner organizations:
- European Union
- Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction
European Union support to the Biological Weapons Convention
Since 2006, the European Union (EU) has supported the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) by means of two Joint Actions and six Council Decisions in the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Over 14 million Euros have been provided by the European Union, mostly to support capacity-building activities in developing countries. The EU Joint Actions and Council Decisions can be found here:
- Council Joint Action 2006/184/CFSP (2006-2007)
- Council Joint Action 2008/858/CFSP (2009-2011)
- Council Decision 2012/421/CFSP (2012–2015)
- Council Decision 2016/51/CFSP (2016-2019)
- Council Decision 2019/97/CFSP (2019-2023)
- Council Decision 2021/2072/CFSP (2021-23)
- Council Decision 2024/349/CFSP (2024-26)
- Council Decision 2025/494/CFSP (2025-28)
Implementation
The Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is currently implementing two projects funded by the European Union.
Council Decision 2024/349 aims to support implementation of the BWC on the international, regional and national levels through five projects:
- Support for BWC universalization
- Capacity Development in support of BTWC national implementation
- Youth for Biosecurity Initiative
- Support for the BTWC inter-sessional programme
- Enabling tools for outreach, education and engagement
Council Decision 2025/494 aims to support the BWC, its inter-sessional programme and the preparations for its Tenth Review Conference by means of three projects:
- Support the BWC inter-sessional programme by facilitating consultations and integrating scientific perspectives on topics under discussion
- Capacity building for BWC National Contact Points and supporting the inter-sessional discussions on national implementation and measures on confidence-building and transparency
- Support the preparations for the Tenth Review Conference
Global Partnership Support
Several States Parties from Africa have indicated a need for assistance to enhance the domestic implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). With the increasing demand for assistance throughout the region, it was necessary to establish a longer-term engagement with, and continued support to, countries on the continent.
The Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa which was launched by the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction (Global Partnership, or GP) in 2020 therefore provided a timely opportunity for the BWC Implementation Support Unit (ISU) to seek financial support for activities that comprehensively supports requests from African countries in their efforts to strengthen the Convention’s implementation and promote its universalization.
Implementing the BWC also contributes to strengthening States’ capacities for early warning, risk reduction and management of health risks, thus supporting progress towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – Good health and well-being. The importance of preparedness has also been demonstrated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has shown the vulnerability of modern societies to large-scale disease outbreaks and the need to proactively address biothreats.
Objectives
The activities aim to contribute to the following BWC objectives in Africa:
- Promoting universalization of the Convention
- Providing assistance for the development of BWC implementing legislation
- Supporting the preparation and submission of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)
- Facilitating the establishment or designation of National Contact Points (NCPs)
Implementation
Activities will have a duration of four years, from 2022 until 2026.
The activities will be implemented by the BWC ISU upon request from States Parties in Africa, in close collaboration with regional and sub-regional partners, as well as assistance providers, to benefit from synergies and ensure coordination with related initiatives, such as those supporting the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540, the Biosafety and Security Initiative 2021-2025 of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the respective European Union Council Decisions in support of the BWC.
Activities
Support will be provided to African States interested in joining the BWC or in enhancing its domestic implementation in line with identified plans, priorities and needs through a combination of regional, sub-regional and national activities focusing on the following:
- Raising awareness on the importance of the BWC among policymakers and other key stakeholders, as well as the key elements for its universalization, effective Implementation, including national legislation, CBMs and NCPs.
- Providing training to government officials and NCPs on the BWC, related national implementing measures, as well as the associated roles and responsibilities in order to facilitate the designation of NCPs and the effective performance of their tasks.
- Support in the preparation and submission of CBMs, as well as sharing best practices from other States Parties.
- Research, assessment and drafting assistance for reviewing, amending, developing and/or enacting BWC implementing legislation.
- Developing outreach and reference material for use by national stakeholders in support of their efforts to raise awareness, disseminate information and improve understanding of the BWC and related implementation requirements.
Benefits
- At the national level, African States will benefit from tailored support to address their needs and priorities for enhancing BWC implementation and improving coordination.
- At the regional and sub-regional level, African States will benefit from an exchange of national experiences in implementing the BWC and achieving the benefits of full and effective implementation.
- At the international level, enlarged BWC membership and improved implementation in Africa will significantly strengthen the global norm against the deliberate use of disease.
How to engage?
All African States interested in receiving support for joining the BWC and/or enhancing its implementation are encouraged to nominate participants for the regional events which will be conducted under the initiative and to contact the ISU to discuss their needs and plans in more detail.
Partners may contribute to activities by providing funding or expertise and are encouraged to contact the ISU to discuss opportunities for collaboration in more detail.
For more information, please contact the BWC Implementation Support Unit at the address BWC@un.org.