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21/02/2012

The VIIth Review Conference of the Bacteriological and Toxinic Weapons Convention: Balance and Perspectives (DIEEEO15-2012)

The VIIth Review Conference of the Bacteriological and Toxinic Weapons Convention has taken place in Geneva in 2011. Its results have been modest. The prospects of cooperation in the framework of the Convention, the evolution of science and technology, confidence building measures, universalization, verification, and the future development of the International Support Unit are amongst the most important issues discussed in the conference. In the next five years the agenda of the intersessional process will be focused on cooperation and international assistance, the follow up of scientific and technological progress, as well as the strengthening of national implementation of the Convention through confidence building measures. In recent years, Spain, like the European Union, has made an effort to develop its capacities adopting specific measures and has supported other countries to reach the same goal: confronting accidental risks or malicious attempts based on a misuse of biological agents. When the the Bacteriological and Toxinic Weapons Convention was negociated in the 70´s it was believed that this treaty would become a fundamental pillar in the structure of the non proliferation and disarmament regime. Some decades later, this Convention is still the weak point of the non proliferation regime, since it lacks, beyond the legal commitments of States Parties, the necessary tools to prevent these risks. However, progress in biology and genetics let us think, from a technical viewpoint, that these weapons could be one day developed. There are still some issues that the international community should consider in future debates to strengthen the BTWC: to further develop the UN Secretary General investigation mechanism, to define the responsibility in scientific research and in transfers of biological agents, and to redefine the spectrum of biorisks and its control with new measures.

Author: Gonzalo de Salazar Serantes

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