Global Forum on Scientific Advances Important to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

23 Jan 2019

The first annual Global Forum (Forum) on Scientific Advances Important to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, organized by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security (USA), was conducted in conjunction with the 2018 Meeting of State Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) in Geneva, Switzerland on December 3, 2018.
The goal of the Forum was to address the rapidly emerging advancements in biology and biotechnology and their potential impacts on bioweapons nonproliferation policy and to emphasize the importance of engaging the scientific community and private sector to support BWC norms, policies, and programs.
At the event there were expert panel and speaker discussions on current and future biological capabilities relevant to the BWC, including potential for misuse and opportunities to boost efforts to prevent biological weapons development and strengthen bioweapons nonproliferation norms. The Forum facilitated cooperation between scientists and policymakers, bringing leading-edge biological scientists from around the world to speak with BWC delegations and other stakeholders about how new biotechnology tools and approaches might pose new risks and explore new solutions for existing and emerging biological weapons challenges.
STCU Senior Specialist in the bio-area Dr. Vlada Pashynska was invited to speak at the Forum session “How to Leverage Science and Technology to Strengthen the BWC?”. In her report she presented the STCU’s experience in the implementation of Biosafety & Biosecurity related projects, and described the current STCU activities in the area of all CBRN and “dual-use” technologies.