Center Releases New Report on Biological Weapons Convention Compliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 20, 2009
CONTACT: Travis Sharp
Washington, D.C. -- The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation released a report this week examining the processes used by Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States to assess and ensure compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
In 2008, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation – together with the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, the AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy, and the Center for the Study of WMD at the National Defense University – organized a meeting on the compliance processes used by several countries. The new report presents the results of the meeting.
Discussion centered on two related questions: 1) how to develop oversight and review processes that can ensure that one's own biodefense activities are and remain BWC compliant; and 2) whether and how compliance processes can be designed so as to gain external legitimacy and provide outside observers (other nations, civil society, the general public) with assurance of Treaty compliance.
The Scientists Working Group on Biological and Chemical Weapons Control, based at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, develops working papers and reports on technical and policy issues and holds seminars and briefings for U.S. and international officials. Working Group members have extensive experience with biological weapons issues and have an array of technical expertise that they contribute on a voluntary basis.
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