Biological weapons convention : issues and challenges

Abstract EN

Bioweapons are the most dangerous of all existing weapons of mass destruction, potentially producing more extensive and devastating effects on human populations than any other weapon, including chemical and nuclear.

In light of these challenges, The Biological Weapons Convention is considered a cornerstone of the multilateral disarmament regime and an indispensable legal and political instrument that reinforces the widespread condemnation of biological weapons.

It represents the first multilateral treaty banning an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

The BWC is still facing several challenges that keep emerging continuously.

Starting with the non-universality of the Convention, the problem of dual-use in biotechnology, especially developing biological weapons in terms of pathogens, toxins and know-how, became accessible to many states.

This leads to the third main issue related to verifying compliance; ensuring that states do not create new arsenals for the future represents the primary concern of the international community.