Disarmament in Review
From 11 to 12 March 2025, in Sydney, Australia, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) organized a regional workshop on strengthening the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The workshop was organized with the support from the European Union, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia.
The workshop brought together representatives from 14 Pacific States Parties to the Convention, i.e. Australia, Federates States of Micronesia, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Kiribati, which is currently taking steps towards joining the BWC, also participated in the event. The workshop provided the participating Pacific States an opportunity to exchange on ways to strengthen the implementation of the Convention at the national level, including for the Federated States of Micronesia and Tuvalu, which joined the Convention in 2024.
The workshop began with opening remarks from the H.E. Ms. Vanessa Wood, Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation from DFAT, Australia, followed by a video message from H.E. Ms. Barbara Plinkert, EU Ambassador to the Pacific, as well as remarks from Mr. Edward Kitt, Deputy Consul General at the British Consulate General Sydney and Mr. Alex Lampalzer, Deputy Chief of the BWC ISU.
During the first day of the workshop, introductory presentations on the BWC, key aspects of national implementation and the roles and responsibilities of BWC National Contact Points (NCPs) were provided by UNODA and the BWC ISU. The delegations of Australia, Fiji, Nauru, Samoa and New Zealand shared their experiences, challenges encountered and best practices with regard to the national implementation of the Convention. Introductory presentations were also provided by UNODA and the BWC ISU on the elaboration and submission of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) reports. The delegations of Australia, Fiji and New Zealand shared insights on their national elaboration processes. Delegations particularly appreciated the opportunity for regional exchange and dialogue on BWC implementation aspects.
On the second day, the participating States engaged in interactive group exercises, during which they mapped out relevant contributing entities and discussed potential timelines for the elaboration process of CBMs. In addition, Mr. Andrew Horton, member of the Group of Experts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (2004) presented on key obligations of the resolution with regard to biological weapons. His presentation was complemented by a presentation from UNODA’s UNSCR 1540 Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Amanda Cowl, who presented assistance opportunities for States related to UNSCR 1540. Participating States also had the opportunity to hear from the Centre for Health Security of DFAT and the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) on the One Health approach to biothreats.
Opportunities for further regional and international cooperation and assistance were shared by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the Centre for Health Security of DFAT, the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) and UNODA/BWC.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Martin Lyons from the Counter-Proliferation Section of DFAT Australia and Mr. Alex Lampalzer, Deputy Chief of the BWC ISU.
On 13 March, bilateral meetings were held between UNODA and interested delegations in order to explore opportunities for future collaboration and identify ways to strengthen the implementation of the Convention domestically.
The regional workshop and bilateral consultations successfully raised awareness among participating States about the importance of the BWC and provided comprehensive information and resources to support its national implementation in the Pacific. It fostered regional and international cooperation by facilitating the exchange of national experiences, challenges and best practices in implementing the Convention. It also encouraged greater participation of Pacific Island States in discussions within the BWC framework. UNODA and the BWC ISU will be working closely with States to identify further national and regional needs, provide assistance and advance efforts towards the universalization of the BWC and strengthened implementation of the Convention in the Pacific.
