March 26th marked the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), a pivotal milestone in global disarmament. The BWC, the world’s first multilateral treaty aimed at banning an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, has played a crucial role in promoting international peace and security. Today, 188 nations have joined this treaty, collectively committing to the prohibition of the development, production, acquisition, transfer, and use of biological and toxin weapons.
As we celebrate this landmark achievement, it’s vital to reflect on the treaty’s legacy and the evolving challenges of today’s world. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised that the BWC remains a cornerstone of collective efforts to prevent the use of biological weapons—and to ensure that advances in biotechnology benefit humanity rather than pose a threat. However, the rapidly changing landscape of science and technology requires constant vigilance, reaffirming the need for ongoing efforts to strengthen the BWC.
Let’s take a deeper look at why the BWC matters, what challenges it faces, and how we can work together to ensure the continued success of this crucial treaty.
Why the Biological Weapons Convention Matters
The BWC has long served as a powerful safeguard, helping prevent the weaponisation of biological agents and toxins. Biological weapons, which can spread devastating diseases such as smallpox or anthrax, represent one of the greatest threats to public health, security, and global stability. The BWC’s prohibition of these weapons is designed not only to prevent their use in conflict but to ensure that biological advances are used solely for peaceful purposes—such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
Here’s why the BWC remains as critical today as it was fifty years ago:
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Protection Against Biological Warfare: The BWC prohibits the use of biological agents as weapons. With the ongoing threat of terrorism and geopolitical instability, this convention is a vital barrier to biological warfare and the misuse of science.
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Promoting Peaceful Use of Biotechnology: While the BWC prevents biological weapons, it also encourages the use of biotechnology for positive purposes. Advancements in gene editing, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology have the potential to revolutionise healthcare and agriculture, but without proper safeguards, these tools could be turned into weapons of mass destruction.
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Global Security: Over 180 countries are part of the BWC, and this global consensus makes it a robust mechanism for ensuring the world remains free of biological weapons.
The Evolution of Biological Threats
The world has changed dramatically since the BWC was first signed in 1975. Advances in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and other life sciences have created new opportunities for beneficial applications—but also for potentially catastrophic misuse. As technology evolves, so too do the risks associated with biological weapons.
In this context, the BWC must remain flexible and adaptable to emerging threats. For instance, researchers and policy-makers are now grappling with CRISPR technology and the potential for gene-editing tools to be used to develop harmful biological agents. The rapid pace of biotechnology innovation means the BWC needs continuous updates to stay relevant.
Strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention
At its core, the BWC is not just a treaty—it’s a living document that requires constant reinforcement and adaptation to address emerging biological threats. In Geneva, Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN’s disarmament chief, highlighted the importance of strengthening the convention to meet 21st-century challenges. She urged all nations to actively engage with the Working Group on Strengthening the BWC, which focuses on verifying compliance and building capacity for states to implement the convention effectively.
Key areas for strengthening the BWC include:
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Verification Mechanisms: Ensuring that countries adhere to the terms of the BWC remains a significant challenge. Developing reliable verification and monitoring systems will help prevent covert biological weapons programs.
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Capacity-Building: Many developing countries lack the infrastructure or expertise to enforce the BWC effectively. Investment in capacity-building is essential to ensuring that all countries, especially those in Africa, have the necessary tools to implement the convention.
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International Collaboration: Enhanced cooperation among states, international organisations, and the scientific community is crucial for staying ahead of new threats. Efforts such as the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship have been instrumental in fostering collaboration between young scientists across Africa, helping to build a network of expertise to combat biological threats.
The Importance of Universal Adherence
While the vast majority of the world’s nations have ratified the BWC, there remain nine countries that have yet to do so. The Secretary-General has called for universal adherence to the BWC, urging these remaining countries to sign and ratify the treaty as soon as possible. Achieving universal participation in the BWC would significantly bolster global security, making it harder for rogue states or non-state actors to develop biological weapons.
The Future: Making Biological Weapons “Impossible”
As we reflect on the progress made over the last five decades, we must remember that the fight against biological weapons is far from over. Ms. Nakamitsu concluded her remarks by stressing that the use of biological weapons must not only be “unthinkable” but also “impossible.”
In other words, we must work together to ensure that biological weapons are no longer a viable option for any government, organisation, or individual. This means strengthening the BWC, closing any gaps in international cooperation, and pushing for the continuous development of new technologies to counter biological threats.
We all have a part to play in making this vision a reality. Governments must commit to strengthening the BWC, scientists must remain vigilant in their research, and individuals must advocate for a world free from biological weapons.
Relevant Links for Further Reading:
Photo credit: United Nation
