The 2008 Meeting of Experts was held in the Palais des Nations from 18 to 22 August 2008. Ninety-six States Parties participated in the meeting, along with four signatory states and three observer states. A range of international organizations, scientific and professional associations, commercial industry and NGOs were also represented.

The Meeting of Experts was chaired by Ambassador Georgi Avramchev of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In accordance with the decision of the Sixth Review Conference, the Meeting of States Parties (1- 5 December 2008) will consider the work of the Meeting of Experts to discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on:

1. National, regional and international measures to improve biosafety and biosecurity, including laboratory safety and security of pathogens and toxins.

2. Oversight, education, awareness raising, and adoption and/or development of codes of conduct with the aim of preventing misuse in the context of advances in bio-science and bio-technology research with the potential of use for purposes prohibited by the Convention.


Outcome

The 2008 Meeting of Experts was completed successfully on 22 August. The Meeting adopted its report by consensus. The report comprised a procedural part (as contained in CRP.2), and two annexes (as orally amended in its closing session). The first annex lists the various proposals made at the meeting as contained in CRP.1 and CRP.1/Add.1, as amended by States Parties. The second annex is a list of documents.

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/3 Report of the 2008 Meeting of Experts

Relevant Scientific & Technological Developments

One of the mandated tasks of BWC Review Conferences is to "take into account any new scientific and technological developments relevant to the Convention". The last such review took place at the Sixth Review Conference in 2006 and the next is schedules for 2011. During its efforts to prepare for the Meeting of Experts, the Implementation Support Unit identified a number of developments in science and technology that have either come about, or developed significantly since the last comprehensive review. Details of advances identified in the lead up to the Meeting of Experts can be found on the Relevant Scientific & Technological Developments page. See also the seminar Synthetic Biology: Engineering Life Science by the Geneva Forum in coordination with the ISU.

Documents and Other Information

Official Documents for the Meeting of Experts

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/1 Provisional Agenda for the Meeting of Experts

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/2/Rev.1 Programme of Work for the Meeting of Experts (as adopted)

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/3 Report of the 2008 Meeting of Experts

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/INF.1 Biosafety and Biosecurity - Submitted by the Implementation Support Unit

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/INF.2 Developments in Codes of Conduct Since 2005 - Submitted by the Implementation Support Unit

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/INF.3 Oversight of Science - Submitted by the Implementation Support Unit

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/INF.4 Education, Outreach and Raising Awareness - Submitted by the Implementation Support Unit

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/INF.5 List of Participants

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/INF.5/ADD.1 List of Participants

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.1 Efforts to Promote Global Biosecurity and Pathogen Security Standards - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.2 Pathogen Safety and Pathogen Security: Assistance Efforts of the United States - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.3 Enhancing Biosecurity in the Life Sciences: Recommendations of the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.4 Synthetic Biology: A Transforming Technology - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.5 National Data Collection Processes for CBM Submissions - Submitted by Switzerland

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.6 Implementation of the UK Anti-terrorism Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) 2001: Biosecurity Aspects - Submitted by the United Kingdom

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.7 Revision to the UK Regulatory Framework Governing Human and Animal Pathogens - Submitted by the United Kingdom

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.8 Development on a Code of Conduct on Biosecurity - Submitted by the Netherlands

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.9 Measures to Improve Biosafety, Biosecurity and Awareness Raising - Submitted by Lithuania

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.10 Oversight, Education and Awareness Raising: Report of a UK Seminar, 28 March 2008 - Submitted by the United Kingdom

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.11 Oversight of Emerging Technologies: Examples of UK Approaches to Responsible Development of Science - Submitted by the United Kingdom

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.12 The German Research Foundation Code of Conduct: Work with Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms and Toxins - Submitted by Germany

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.13 European Union Legislation and Recommendations Related to Biosafety and Biosecurity - Submitted by Germany

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.14 Registration And Licensing Of Facilities And Persons Handling Biological Materials - Submitted by Germany

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.15 Security Vetting of Personnel Handling Dangerous Biological Materials - Submitted by Germany

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.16 Implementation of legislation and measures related to biosafety and biosecurity in EU Member States - Submitted by Germany on behalf of the European Union

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.17 Biosafety and Biosecurity - Submitted by Canada

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.18 Oversight of science, education and awareness raising, codes of conduct - Submitted by China

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.19 Biosafety and biosecurity - Submitted by China

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.20 Regional Seminar for South East Asia on Promoting and Implementing Biosafety and Biosecurity - Submitted by Indonesia and Norway

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.21 Oversight, Education, Awareness Raising, and Codes of Conduct for Preventing the Misuse of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology - Submitted by Japan in consultation with Australia, Canada, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Norway and New Zealand

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.22 National, regional and international measures for improving biosafety and biosecurity with a focus on the safety of pathogens and toxins at the laboratory level - Submitted by Japan

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.23 Overview of major international biosecurity activities since the 2003 intersessional meeting - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.24 Biosecurity: Moving beyond the laboratory - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.25 Outreach and education in the life sciences: Case study in the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories - Submitted by the United States of America

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.26 Australian Assistance to Strengthen Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity Capacity - Submitted by Australia

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.27 Initiatives de Coopération de l’Union Européenne Visant à améliorer la Sécurité et la Sûreté Biologiques - Submitted by France on behalf of the European Union

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.28 National Measures and Views on Biosafety and Biosecurity - Submitted by Brazil

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.29 Experiencia Nacional Sobre las Medidas Para Mejorar la Bioseguridad y la Protección en los Laboratorios de Patógenos y Toxinas; y Sobre la Creación de Capacidad, la Gestión de Riesgos, la Supervisión de la Ciencia y la Educación y Elevación de la Conciencia - Submitted by Cuba

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.30 Communication Issues Associated with Implementation of the SSBA Regulatory Scheme - Submitted by Australia

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.31 Australia’s National framework for the Development of Ethical Principles in Gene Technology and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) - Submitted by Australia

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.32 Regulation of Biological Agents in Australia - Submitted by Australia

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.33 Concientización de la Comunidad Científica de Argentina sobre el Potencial Uso Hostil de las Ciencias Biológicas - Submitted by Argentina

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.34 The Laboratory Biorisk Management Standard and its Applicability under the BWC - Submitted by Norway

BWC/MSP/2008/MX/WP.35 Preparing the Ground for the CBM Content Debate: What Information Builds Confidence? - Submitted by Switzerland

Compendiums of National Approaches
Opening Statements
Biosafety & Biosecurity Statements and Presentations
Oversight, Education, Awareness Raising & Codes of Conduct Statements and Presentations
Statements by the Chair
Poster Sessions
Panel Discussions with the Chair
Statements by Non-Governmental Organisations
Press Releases for the Meeting of Experts

Side Events at the Meeting of Experts