About
The Sixth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention
Determined for the sake of all mankind, to exclude completely the possibility of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins being used as weapons
Convinced that such use would be repugnant to the conscience of mankind and that no effort should be spared to minimize this risk…
From November 20 through December 8, delegates from nations around the world will assemble in Geneva for the Sixth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The BWC prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological weapons and is the cornerstone of international efforts to prevent their use.
Member states meet to review the operation of the Convention every five years. These meetings are important for strengthening the treaty and improving collective efforts to counter the threat of biological weapons.
This year’s Review Conference arrives at a critical time for the Convention. At the Fifth Review Conference in 2001, the United States brought to a halt ten years of discussion and negotiation on a verification protocol to enforce the Convention. The conference nearly collapsed and proceedings were adjourned until the following year. Despite growing concerns about biological weapons, members failed to agree on any significant measures to strengthen the treaty.
The following year the member states agreed to hold a series of annual meetings from 2003 to 2005 to discuss selected topics. These meetings were more successful than anticipated and have provided a way forward from the setback of the Fifth Review Conference. It is essential that members now use the Sixth Review Conference to consolidate this progress and renew active and collective efforts to strengthen the Convention and counter the biological weapons threat. That threat is a global problem; it requires a cooperative global response.
The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Biological and Chemical Weapons Control Program
The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a Washington, D.C. based non-profit policy organization. The Center covers numerous peace and security issues affected by proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The Center’s Biological and Chemical Weapons Control Program and its Scientists Working Group work to prevent the development and use of biological and chemical weapons. The Program develops analyses, reports, recommendations and briefings on technical and policy issues for Congress, the public, and the international community.