BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION MEETING OF EXPERTS TO CONVENE IN GENEVA FROM 10 TO 14 AUGUST 2015

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Meeting of Experts in 2015 will take place at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 10 to 14 August 2015.

Formally known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, the Biological Weapons Convention was the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons. It was opened for signature in 1972 and entered into force in 1975 meaning that the Biological Weapons Convention is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. It currently has 173 States Parties, with a further nine having signed but not yet ratified.

The 2015 Meeting of Experts is the final such meeting in the current intercessional programme that was mandated by the Seventh Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference in 2011. The four-year intercessional programme includes annual Meetings of Experts as well as Meetings of States Parties. The report of this year’s Meeting of Experts will be considered by the Meeting of States Parties, which will be held in Geneva from 14 to 18 December. This year is the final year of the current 2012 to 2015 intercessional process, next year will see the Eighth Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference.

The current intercessional programme seeks to discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on those issues identified for inclusion in the programme. This year's Meeting of Experts will discuss, inter alia,:

- Cooperation and assistance, with a particular focus on strengthening cooperation and assistance under Article X;

- Review of developments in the field of science and technology related to the Convention;

- Strengthening national implementation;

- How to strengthen Article VII, including consideration of detailed procedures and mechanisms for the provision of assistance and cooperation by States Parties.

The Meeting of Experts will be chaired by Ambassador Mazlan Muhammad of Malaysia. Referring to the preparations of the meeting, the Chairperson said: "The purpose of our intercessional programme is to discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action. With the Eighth Review Conference a little over one year away, it is important for us to focus more explicitly on promoting “effective action”. I believe a lot will be accomplished next week . I intend to continue along our tried and tested working practices, and to work with States Parties to build on the solid platform we have together created.”

Broad participation is expected at the meeting, including from States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, key intergovernmental organizations engaged on relevant issues, scientific and professional associations, academic institutions, think tanks, other non-governmental entities and individual experts.

For further information and media enquiries please contact:

Mr. Daniel Feakes
Chief, BWC Implementation Support Unit
Tel +41 (0)22 917 22 30
Fax +41 (0)22 917 04 83

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For use of the information media; not an official record

DC15/034E