Papers, Presentations and Other Resources produced by the ISU
In accordance with its mandate, and in line with its efforts to assist the Chair of BWC meetings, the ISU has presented information on the Convention, its history and Review Conferences, the activities and efforts of States Parties, the current intersessional programme, and universalization activities.
UN-ODA Disarmament Yearbook
The ISU provides the substantive input on the BWC for the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs Disarmament yearbook.
Presentations
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Raising awareness of the BWC
On 9 January, a member of the ISU provided a briefing on the BWC to Survey of International Organizations of the University of Freiburg at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
On 26 January, a member of the ISU gave a presentation on biological weapons during Working on Disarmament & Arms Control in Geneva: an Orientation for Diplomats hosted by the Geneva Forum in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
On 9 February, a member of the ISU gave a lecture on the BWC and its implementation during the Arms Control Implementation Orientation Course at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany.
From 29-31 March, the ISU participated in a meeting on The Australia Group: Challenges and Future Directions at Wilton Park, United Kingdom.
From 23-26 April, the ISU participated in an expert meeting on Incapacitating Chemical Agents: Law Enforcement, Human Rights Law, and Policy Perspectives in Montreux, Switzerland. A member of the ISU gave a presentation on “Constraints of the Biological Weapons Convention on the use of Biological Agents and Toxins”.
On 14 May, the ISU attended and supported the Chairman’s participation in an informal consultation on Implementing the Outcome Document of the 7th Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention organized by the Geneva Forum in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
From 12-14 June, the ISU attended the FBI-DIYBio Outreach Workshop in Walnut Creek, California, United States. A member of the ISU participated in a panel and gave a presentation on “Science and Security: A Case for Symbiosis”.
From 20-21 June, the ISU participated in the 2012 Biosecurity Conference at the annual Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. A member of the ISU gave a presentation and participated in a panel titled “Implementing the Biological Weapons Convention: Maximizing Global Biotechnology Benefits While Minimizing Risk”.
On 28 June, a member of the ISU provided a briefing on the BWC to Survey of International Organizations of the University of Freiburg at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
On 3 July, a member of the ISU delivered a lecture on biological weapons during the “Course on Disarmament and Weapons of Mass Destruction: Challenges and Responses” at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Geneva, Switzerland.
On 24 July, the ISU participated in a site tour of the biodefense facilities in Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States, as a part of the US Government’s Bio-Transparency and Openness Initiative.
On 13 August, a member of the ISU provided a briefing on the BWC to Young Leaders from the Pacific Island Forum at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
On 3 September, a member of the ISU provided a briefing on the BWC to UN Disarmament Fellows at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
On 5 September, the ISU participated in the Third Annual WMD Summer Programme: Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMD in a Changing World hosted by the TMC Asser Institute in The Hague, Netherlands. A member of the ISU delivered a series of presentations on the BWC, its ISU and the current work programme.
From 5-6 September, the ISU participated in the International Conference on Health and Security in Washington, D.C., United States. A member of the ISU gave a presentation on “The Role of the Biological Weapons Convention in Countering Biological Threats”.
Following developments in science and technology
From 20-23 February, the ISU participated in a workshop on Trends and Scientific Developments Relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention organized by the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) at the Spiez Laboratory, Spiez, Switzerland.
From 5-7 March, the ISU participated in a meeting on Synthetic Biology: Addressing Global Security in Heidelberg, Germany. A member of the ISU gave a talk on relevant developments under the BWC, encouraging industry participants to engage more actively in the BWC process.
On 23 April, the ISU attended the International Expert Meeting on H5N1 Research hosted by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, Netherlands. A member of the ISU delivered a statement about balancing the risks and benefits of pathogen research and relevant commitments under the BWC.
On 1 May, the ISU participated in a Workshop by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine on Issues Raised, Lessons Learned, and Paths Forward for Dual-Use Research in the Life Sciences: The H5N1 Research Controversy in Washington, D.C., United States. A member of the ISU participated in a panel discussion on “Governance, Oversight, and the Path Forward”.
On 30 August, the ISU participated in the Workshop on Mitigating the Risks Associated with DNA Synthesis jointly organised by the James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies and the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association in Shanghai, China. A member of the ISU gave a presentation on the BWC and the international legal basis for biological risk mitigation.
From 26-27 September, the ISU participated in the Cambridge BioDesign Forum in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The ISU gave a presentation on “Synthetic Biology and Security” that was the subject of a BBC news report and was the lead item on the technology section of the BBC website.
On 31 October, a member of the ISU participated in the 26th Assembly of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Strengthening biosafety and biosecurity
On 22 March, the ISU participated in a meeting of the International Expert Group for Biosafety and Biosecurity Regulation (IEGBBR) in Bern, Switzerland.
From 23-25 April, the ISU participated in the International Conference on Biosafety and Biosecurity 2: Implementing the Recommendations Relevant to the Biological Weapons Convention, jointly organized by Ukraine and the ISU in Kyiv, Ukraine. The ISU co-hosted and co-chaired the conference, and gave a presentation on recent developments in the BWC relevant to biosafety and biosecurity aspects of national implementation.
On 17 May, the ISU participated in a meeting on Safe and Secure Biomaterials: Matching Resources to Reality at Chatham House in London, United Kingdom.
From 11-12 June, the ISU attended the European Biosecurity Workshop: Biothreat Prevention in Practice at the Statems Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark. A member of the ISU gave a presentation titled “An Evolving Threat: Biological Risks in the 21st Century”.
From 24-27 June, the ISU participated in the 3rd Annual Biosafety Conference organized by the African Biological Safety Association (AfBSA) in Johannesburg, South Africa. A member of the ISU gave a presentation on “The BWC and Biosafety”.
From 28-29 June, the ISU participated in the second meeting of the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) in Johannesburg, South Africa. A member of the ISU facilitated a session on linking and leveraging expertise and support.
On 9 October, a member of the ISU attended an expert meeting on Biosecurity and the Global Governance of Infectious Diseases at the Hague Institute for Global Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, and provided perspectives on BWC-related aspects.
From 10-12 October, the ISU attended the 4th Annual International Symposium on Biosecurity and Biosafety: Future Trends and Solutions in Milan, Italy. A member of the ISU chaired a session on regional programs and plans and gave a presentation on biosafety and biosecurity activities under the BWC.
Regional engagement
From 5-7 March, the ISU participated in the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) 15th Study Group on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Asia Pacific in Sydney, Australia. A member of the ISU gave a presentation on “The Outcome of the Seventh BWC Review Conference”.
From 8-9 March, the ISU participated in the ASEAN Regional Forum Intersessional Meeting on Nonproliferation and Disarmament in Sydney, Australia. A member of the ISU gave a presentation on “The Biological Weapons Convention: the Seventh Review Conference and Beyond”.
From 10-11 April, the ISU participated in the EU-ISS Disarmament Working Group Workshop on Disarmament Futures: Evolution of International Disarmament Treaties and Their Contribution to Middle Eastern Security in Paris, France. A member of the ISU gave a presentation on recent developments in the BWC that may be relevant to the Middle East.
From 14-15 May, the ISU attended a meeting titled Working with the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence: What Concrete Role for EU Stakeholders and Partners? in Brussels, Belgium.
From 12-13 September, the ISU participated in the First Round Table Meeting for CBRN Centres of Excellence in North Africa and the Sahel Region in Algiers, Algeria. The ISU delivered a presentation titled “Implementing the Biological Weapons Convention: Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures” and introduced the new intersessional programme and sponsorships and assistance available under the BWC.
Interactions with international organizations and forums
From 24-26 January, the ISU attended the G8 Global Partnership Meeting Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction in Washington, D.C. United States. A member of the ISU participated in the Biosecurity Working Group and gave a presentation titled “What the BWC Can Do for You”.
From 13-14 March, the ISU attended the G8 Global Partnership Meeting and contributed to the Biosecurity Working Group at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.
From 23-25 April, the ISU participated in the Conference of International, Regional and Sub-Regional Industry Associations on UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) in Weisbaden, Germany. The ISU delivered a presentation on “BWC Cooperation with Industry”.
On 22 June, the ISU attended the UNICRI/EU Conference on CBRN Centres of Excellence in New York, United States to discuss potential BWC ISU involvement.
From 28-30 August, the ISU participated in the Working Group of the G8 Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Biosecurity Sub-Working Group hosted by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. A member of the ISU was a co-chair for a regional breakout group on the Middle East and North Africa.
On 3 September, the ISU attended the 15th Anniversary of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, Netherlands. A member of the ISU participated in a panel discussion on “Multilateralism in Arms Control and Disarmament” at the OPCW and in a panel discussion on "Science for peace: Promoting education and ethics in chemistry, biology and nuclear science to ensure global peace and security" at The Hague Institute for Global Justice.
From 6-7 September, the ISU participated in the Second Meeting of the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board Temporary Working Group of Convergence of Biology and Chemistry at the OPCW in The Hague, Netherlands. A member of the ISU presented details of developments in the biological sciences that have possible relevance to the CWC and BWC.
From 15-17 October, the ISU participated in the meeting The Chemical Weapons Convention: The Third Review Conference and Beyond at Wilton Park, United Kingdom.
From 23-25 October, the ISU attended the G8 Global Partnership Meeting Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and participated in the Bio-Security Sub-Working Group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, United States.
From 10-17 November, a member of the ISU participated in a training course for the UN Secretary-General’s mechanism to investigate allegations of the use of chemical and biological weapons, in Paris, France.
From 12-14 November, the ISU attended the Summit on the Global Agenda 2012 organized by the World Economic Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
On 13 November a member of the ISU provided a briefing on the Intersessional Process of the BWC in association with the UN Information Service and the NGO Liaison Unit of the Office of the Director General at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
On 14 November, a member of the ISU provided a briefing on the BWC to the Conference on Strategic Trade Controls Enforcement of the World Customs Organization, Brussels, Belgium.