Disarmament in Review
On 10 and 11 and 26 and 27 June, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in collaboration with the governments of Mauritius and Seychelles, respectively, held national workshops focussing on strengthening implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and promoting broad national and regional cooperation to that end.
The first workshop, held in Port Louis, Mauritius brought together national stakeholders to review Mauritius’ existing national legislative framework implementing the BWC and to explore opportunities to strengthen legislation and address identified gaps. This included reviewing strategic trade controls and opportunities to integrate control lists into existing legislative and regulatory frameworks and assessing the existing legislative, regulatory and policy approach to biosafety and biosecurity. The workshop also explored the role of the National Contact Point in BWC implementation and sought to identify opportunities to improve multisectoral coordination.
Presentations by experts from the European Union’s P2P Export Control Programme focussed on issues relating to strategic trade controls and the preparation of control lists for dual-use biological equipment, pathogens and toxins. While an expert from the UNSCR 1540 Committee Group of Experts presented on resolution 1540 (2004) and the importance of implementing the resolution and the BWC in a mutually reinforcing manner so as to address relevant bio-risks.
A representative of the South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction shared South Africa ‘s experience with multisectoral coordination and the national legislative and regulatory framework governing the transfer of dual-use biological equipment, pathogens and toxins.The workshop built a solid foundation upon which Mauritius will be able to continue to strengthen implementation of the BWC at the national level.
The second workshop, held in Victoria, Seychelles brought together national stakeholders from various Seychellois government ministries, agencies and institutions to encourage broad cooperation and engagement on issues related to implementation of the BWC. This included sharing experiences, challenges and good practices, and building networks and new working relationships. The workshop provided an overview of the rights and obligations under the Convention and sought to clarify the roles of key national stakeholders in the implementation process.
The workshop also focussed on the process for the preparation and submission of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and sought to enhance the knowledge of participants on the obligation to prepare and submit confidence-building measures and to explore the roles of the various national stakeholders in the preparation and submission process. Presentations were delivered by the Kenyan National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation highlighting experiences, good practices and lessons-learned with respect to both the operation and structure of national contact points and the process for the preparation and submission of CBMs.
Delegates were also briefed on the importance of legislative implementation of the Convention and were presented with a detailed legislative gap analysis and model law aimed at addressing identified needs and priorities.
The workshop strengthened Seychelles’ capacity to implement the BWC at the national level and participating national stakeholders now have an improved understanding of both the importance of comprehensive implementation of the BWC and the benefits implementation confers on States.
Background
The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) was the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of weapon of mass destruction (WMD) and prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons. The Convention is a fundamental pillar of the global peace and security architecture and is a cornerstone of the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
Both workshops took place within the framework of UNODA’s project to promote universalisation and strengthen national implementation of the BWC in Africa funded by the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. More information is available here.
