Time for structural changes to make the biological and toxin weapons convention more effective

Abstract

The Eighth Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), which totally prohibits the use of biological agents and toxins to cause harm to humans, animal or plants, is in Geneva on 7–25 November 2016. This article outlines the development of the BTWC since entry into force in 1975 and its evolution to the present. In the intersessional periods between the recent Review Conference (from 2003to 2005, then 2007–2010 and most recently 2012–2015) States Parties have been less successful in producing concrete actions with results. Substantive paragraphs have been agreed by using the approach of consensus by deletion rather than recognizing that an objective can be achieved by various alternatives. It is timely–and necessary–that States Parties prepare for the Eighth Review Conference by considering the structural change needed to be agreed to actually strengthen the Convention and enhance its effectiveness and implementation.