S&T themes considered by States Parties

Transcription

1 S&T themes considered by States Parties Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean: Implications of developments in science and technology for the Biological Weapons Convention April 2018 Mexico City, Mexico Daniel Feakes Chief, BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Geneva Branch)

2 BWC in a nutshell Overview S&T Issues addressed during the Intersessional Programme Proposals on S&T Issues considered during the Eighth Review Conference

3 Biological Weapons Convention prohibits development, production, stockpiling, acquisition, retention or transfer of BWs opened for signature on 10 April 1972 EiF on 26 March 1975 First multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of WMD Non-discriminatory in nature Unlimited duration Open to any state

4 Highest Organ: Review Conference Annual Meeting of States Parties in Geneva 2017 Office-Holders Chair: Amb. Amandeep Singh Gill (India) Vice Chair: Amb. Micael Biontino (Germany) Vice Chair: Amb. Juraj Podhorský (Slovakia) Three regional groups Eastern European Group NAM Western Group Three Depositories Russia United Kingdom United States Functioning of the BWC

5 BWC Strengths and weaknesses Strengths: Clear, comprehensive ban: no exceptions, few loopholes Strong international norm, never publicly challenged Forum for dialogue and cooperation in meeting intl. security obligations Futureproof (so far...) Weaknesses: No organisation or implementing body No systematic monitoring of implementation or compliance Uneven national implementation No systematic assessment of needs or provision of assistance

6 Introduction S&T Developments Advances in life sciences occur at an unprecedented pace Ever improving ICT capabilities Effects of globalization - easier access to information, technology and equipment Convergence of the physical, digital, and bio disciplines - impacting all disciplines, economies and industries New methods of scientific collaboration including information sharing Bring unparalleled benefits, however come also with inherent risks (dual use nature of life sciences) Biotechnology: increasingly important sector in global industry - major driver of economic growth

7 Science and Technology S&T Review IAP Report (2015) The global ability to detect and treat disease has been enhanced Recent advances have also facilitated the development of biological weapons Technological barriers to acquiring and using a biological weapon have been significantly eroded since the Seventh Review Conference Developments need to be monitored for the BWC CAS-TWAS: Biotechnology in Developing Countries: Growth and Competitiveness (2016) UNESCO Science Report Towards 2030 (2015)

8 Science and Technology Intersessional Programme Common understandings reached by SPs, such as: Developments in S&T bring benefits but also have the potential for use contrary to BWC provisions Importance of facilitating the fullest possible exchange of dual-use technologies where their use is fully consistent with the peaceful object and purpose of the Convention Enhanced national oversight of dual use research of concern without hampering the fullest possible exchange of knowledge and technology for peaceful purposes Value, on a voluntary basis of using of codes of conduct Valuable contribution to their work of associated stakeholders in science, academia and industry Value of considering possible ways of establishing a more systematic and comprehensive means of review

9 Outcome of the Eighth BWC Review Conference 7-25 November 2016 (I) Review the operation of the Convention taking into account new scientific and technological developments relevant to the BWC 12 Working Papers on S&T submitted, Switzerland: facilitator on S&T issues Many SPs recognized the importance of a S&T review mechanism under the Convention and supported the establishment of a working group on S&T for the Intersessional programme Though SPs considered several proposals, they did not adopt any respective decision at the Review Conference

10 Proposals on a S&T Review Mechanism under the BWC Issues of Convergence Any type of S&T review process has to be responsive to the needs of States Parties and be fully under their control Work of a S&T review body should be technical, not political Decisions/actions stemming from reports remain the sole responsibility of the SPs Composition geographically diverse and representative of all States Parties Issues of Discussion Group composition Options for funding of participation

11 Outcome of the Eighth BWC Review Conference 7-25 November 2016 (II) High expectations by many States Parties to strengthen the BWC, which did not materialize Fundamentally different visions on the way forward Minimal decisions compared with the large number of Working Papers put forward It remains to be seen whether States Parties will bring up the issues at the upcoming Meeting of States Parties S&T developments also addressed through a series of five regional S&T workshops carried out under the EU CD 2016/51 in support of the BWC

12 Implications of S&T developments on the BWC Current developments with regard to biotechnology raise issues of significant political sensitivity: 1. How to maintain effective non-proliferation arrangements in light of the increasingly intangible nature of much of the relevant information, knowledge and technology; 2. How to continue to prevent the hostile application of life sciences without hampering technological progress and interfering with the economic development of SPs and the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; 3. How to ensure that novel biotechnology is not stigmatized as a potential biological weapons contributor, while at the same time staying vigilant about new risks; 4. How to engage with scientists and industry to develop a culture of responsibility that includes security as a value;

13 Conclusions BWC established strong norm against BWs Rapid Advances in life sciences have implications on BWC Importance of monitoring S&T developments

14 For more information Or contact: BWC Implementation Support Unit United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Palais des Nations Geneva fax: +41 (0)