Activities
The project in support of the universalisation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) consists of two major phases.
The one and a half day meetings are structured around briefing sessions explaining the BTWC and its contribution to regional security. The prevention of biological warfare and terrorism involving pathogens and toxins is also placed in the broader context of health and food security. A third dimension relates to benefits societies may accrue from biology and biotechnology. Nevertheless, the adoption of science and technology also entails responsibilities as they can be exploited for malicious purposes (which the BTWC aims to prevent). The seminars close with in-depth discussions focussing on the experiences of the States not yet party to the BTWC in the region. The three principal themes of those discussions relate to (i) development benefits and responsibility regarding biology and biotechnology; (ii) regional security issues and the BTWC; and (iii) legal and administrative requirements regarding ratification and accession to the BTWC.
International experts on biological disarmament, experts and representatives from States Parties in the region, EU Member States, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, as well as international organisations such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the World Health Organization (WHO), are invited to introduce the different topics.
Five regional seminars have been held:
Preparatory meetings
The first phase comprised of three preparatory meetings, which were held in Brussels (3 April 2006), Geneva (25 April 2006) and New York (30 May 2006). The goal of these meetings was to inform the diplomatic representatives of the States not yet party to the BTWC of the importance of the convention, the obligations they would assume after joining as well as the benefits and opportunities for assistance for which they may be eligible. The goals of the EU Joint Action were explained, including the intention to organise five regional seminars for senior government officials from their countries.Regional seminars
The second phase consists of five regional seminars. The five regions as identified in the EU Joint Action are Southern and East Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands, Latin America and the Caribbean, West and Central Africa, and the Middle East.The one and a half day meetings are structured around briefing sessions explaining the BTWC and its contribution to regional security. The prevention of biological warfare and terrorism involving pathogens and toxins is also placed in the broader context of health and food security. A third dimension relates to benefits societies may accrue from biology and biotechnology. Nevertheless, the adoption of science and technology also entails responsibilities as they can be exploited for malicious purposes (which the BTWC aims to prevent). The seminars close with in-depth discussions focussing on the experiences of the States not yet party to the BTWC in the region. The three principal themes of those discussions relate to (i) development benefits and responsibility regarding biology and biotechnology; (ii) regional security issues and the BTWC; and (iii) legal and administrative requirements regarding ratification and accession to the BTWC.
International experts on biological disarmament, experts and representatives from States Parties in the region, EU Member States, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, as well as international organisations such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the World Health Organization (WHO), are invited to introduce the different topics.
Five regional seminars have been held:
- Southern and East Africa (Nairobi, Kenya, 21 and 22 June 2006);
- Asia and the Pacific Islands (Bangkok, Thailand, 8 and 9 November 2006);
- Latin America and the Caribbean (San José, Costa Rica, 18 and 19 January 2007)
- West and Central Africa (Dakar, Senegal, 17 and 18 April 2007)
- Middle East (Rome, Italy, 16 and 17 April 2008)