Biotechnology assessment
Project Description
This project helps to develop an understanding of the impact of Science and Technology (S&T) developments for maintaining the effectiveness of the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in preparation for the 2011 Review Conference and subsequently.
On 5–6 March 2011 SIPRI convened a technical workshop to review and evaluate the impact of S&T developments on maintaining the effectiveness of the convention. It was attended by 17 researchers, scientists and officials. On 12 April John Hart and Dr Ralf Trapp gave a side presentation on the project at the Preparatory Committee for the 7th BWC Review Conference in Geneva. On 26 May they tabled a background paper on S&T developments and possible EU contributions to the review conference at the EU Council Working Party on Global Disarmament and Arms Control (CODUN) in Brussels.
An in-depth final synthesis report was published in December 2011. The project plans to table drafts of this report at select meetings in the lead-up to the Review Conference.
The project is supported primarily by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs with further support provided by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). SIPRI would like to thank them for their kind support. The project is being implemented by the Head of the SIPRI Chemical and Biological Security Project, John Hart, together with former SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Ralf Trapp.
Publications and statements
- Hart, J. and Trapp, R., Science and Technology and their Impacts on the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention: a Synthesis Report on Preparing for the seventh Review Conference and Future Challenges, December 2011. Read the report here.
- Statement by SIPRI at the 7th Biological and Toxin Weapons Review Conference. Read the statement here.
