Global Forum on Scientific Advances Important to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
The Global Forum on Scientific Advances Important to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention addressed rapidly emerging advancements in biology and biotechnology and their impact on the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) and bioweapons nonproliferation policy. Following the outcome of the 8th BWC Review Conference in 2016, which failed to establish an intersessional program of work for 2017-2020, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security identified the need to support BWC states parties by injecting technical expertise into BWC proceedings.
The Global Forum facilitated engagement between scientists and policymakers, bringing cutting-edge biological scientists from around the world to Geneva in order to share their expertise directly with BWC delegations and other stakeholders. Additionally, exposure to the BWC and bioweapons nonproliferation efforts raised awareness of these issues among frontline scientists and built support for bioweapons nonproliferation efforts around the world. The Global Forum emphasized the importance of engaging the scientific community and private sector to support bioweapons nonproliferation norms, policies, and programs. These events served as a platform for direct engagement between policy and technical experts to understand how emerging and future biotechnology tools and approaches might drive new risks and benefits in the context of the BWC and to explore new solutions for existing and emerging biological weapons challenges.
The Global Forum was held in conjunction with the 2018 and 2019 BWC Meetings of States Parties (MSPs) and were attended by representatives from BWC delegations, UN officials, and other international policy and technical experts. The 2019 Global Forum event was co-hosted with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. The events consisted of panel and speaker discussions on current and future biological capabilities relevant to the BWC, including the potential for misuse and opportunities to bolster the BWC and bioweapons nonproliferation norms.
The agendas for each meeting, including presentations and statements delivered by panelists and speakers, can be found below. Additional details regarding the presentations, themes, and discussions are available in the meeting reports.
Contact
Those who have questions or need more information may email Dr. Gigi Gronvall, senior scholar at the Center, at ggronvall@jhu.edu.
2019 Global Forum
Geneva, Switzerland
Palais des Nations, Room XXIII
December 2, 2019
Held in Conjunction with the 2019 Meeting of State Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
Download the 2019 Meeting Report
2019 Agenda & Presentations
Monday, December 2, 2019
Palais des Nations, Room XXIII
| 0900 | Registration & Breakfast |
| 0930 | Welcome & Introduction
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| 0945 | Session #1: Gene Drives and Engineered Ecology: What can we expect from these advancing capabilities and what are their implications for the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1115 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 1130 | Session #2: Advancing Agriculture and Animal Science: What is the current state of capabilities, and what are the impacts on the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1300 | Lunch |
| 1400 |
Keynote Address: Alessandro MARCELLO, PhD, Group Leader, Molecular Virology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology |
| 1445 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 1500 | Session #3: Barriers and Opportunities: What policies for cutting-edge biology could strengthen the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1630 | Closing Remarks
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| 1645 | Closing Reception, Location: Area 26 (adjacent to Room XXVI) |
| 1745 | Adjourn |
2018 Global Forum
Geneva, Switzerland
Palais des Nations, Room XXIV
December 3, 2018
Held in Conjunction with the 2018 Meeting of State Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
Download the 2018 Meeting Report
2018 Photos
View and download photos from the event. Photos are in a Flickr gallery but can be made available outside of Flickr if necessary.
2018 Agenda
Monday, December 3, 2018
Palais des Nations, Room XXIV
| 0900 | Check-in & Catered Breakfast |
| 0930 | Welcome Remarks His Excellency Ambassador Ljupco Gjorgjinski, Chargé d’Affaires of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Chairman of the 2018 Meeting of the States Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention with introduction by Gigi Gronvall, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security |
| 0945 | Session #1: The Cutting Edge of Biology: What is the Current State of Capabilities and What are the Impacts on the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1100 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 1130 | Session #2: What are the current and historical approaches to addressing advancements in science & technology and their impact on the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1230 | Catered Lunch |
| 1330 | Keynote Address Jason Matheny, Former Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), Office of the Director of National Intelligence, United States of America |
| 1440 | Session #3: Looking to the Future: What capabilities can we expect of advanced biology that could play a positive or negative role in the BWC and bioweapons nonproliferation norms? Moderator:
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| 1540 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 1610 | Session #4: How to Leverage Science and Technology to Strengthen the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1725 | Closing Remarks on Importance of Continued Dialogue Gigi Gronvall, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security |
| 1730 | Closing Reception |