BWC ISU: National Implementation and the Provision of Assistance

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BWC ISU National Implementation and the
Provision of Assistance

• Implementation Support Unit
• Biological Weapons Convention

This presentation is based upon the authors
opinions and does not necessarily represent the
views of the Implementation Support Unit, the
Office for Disarmament Affairs or the United
Nations.
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BWC ISU A NEW UNIT FOR A NEW APPROACH

• And perhaps most historically of all, we have
  agreed to establish an Implementation Support
  Unit to assist us in implementing the decisions
  of this Conference. For many years, the States
  Parties have debated the need for institutional
  support for the Convention. Now we have it, built
  not on a political argument, nor on a perception
  that something is better than nothing, but on
  the solid basis of the positive and practical
  contribution the temporary secretariat has made
  over the past three years.
• Closing Remarks
• President of the 2006 BWC Review Conference

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THE ROLE OF THE ISU

• BWC ISU mandate covers 4 areas

• Administrative Support

• Confidence Building Measures

• National Implementation

• Universalization

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SELECTED ISU ACTIVITIES

• Since its creation the ISU has

• Acted as secretariat at BWC meetings
• Drafted background documents

• Had regular contact with IOs, scientific
  academic institutions, NGOs
• Participated in meetings events

• Maintained developed BWC website

• Processed disseminated CBMs
  (via a new electronic reporting system)

• Supported universalization efforts

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BWC NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION 2007 MEETINGS

• 2006 Review Conference established annual
  meetings until 2010

• 2007 topics
• Ways and means to enhance national
  implementation
• Regional and sub-regional cooperation
  on implementation

• Positive outcome - more detailed understandings

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ADDITIONAL BWC IMPLEMENTATION 2008 MEETINGS

• 2008 topics deal with ancillary (soft) approaches
  to implementation
• Oversight, education, awareness raising, and
  adoption and/or development of codes of conduct
• And additional understandings
• National, regional and international measures to
  improve biosafety and biosecurity
• Meeting of Experts to take place in August
• ISU will continue to maintain NID
• ISU will focus more on clearing house activities

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THE ISU NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION
The ISU

• Maintains the NID (currently 2029 measures
• From 130 States
• 119 States Parties (76)
• 5 Signatories
• 6 States not party
• 1 regional organization

• Does not analyze or assess measures

• Is mandated to act as a clearing house for the
  provision of assistance

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THE ISU AS A CLEARING HOUSE

• The ISU
• Acts as a central point of contact for requests
  for assistance
• The first port of call for BWC assistance
• Maintains details of offers to provide assistance
• Some providers make general commitments
• Others provide details of individuals to contact
• Puts those requesting assistance in touch with
  those offering to provide it
• Matching needs with capacity based upon region,
  background, history, socio-political structure,
  etc.

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PROVISION OF NATIONAL IMPLEMENTAION ASSISTANCE

• The ISU had received offers from
• International Organizations (e.g. FAO)
• Regional Organizations (e.g. EU)
• Informal groupings of States (e.g. JACKSNNZ)
• Individual States (e.g. Cuba, Russia, US)
• ISU will attempt to gather additional details
• Provision of assistance to be arranged
  bilaterally on a case by case basis
• Clearing house activities identified as key area
  for further activity

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REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

• To date ISU received 1 request for assistance
• Currently compiling tailored information on
  measures taken by other related States
• Preliminary discussions with assistance providers
  undertaken
• Established direct contact established between
  requesting State and a provider
• Continue to monitor situation
• Continue to assist both sides as appropriate

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DOMESTIC ACTION, GLOBAL IMPACT

• Capacity retained in hands of States and other
  international organizations
• No ISU legal department or mandate to provide
  assistance
• ISU Facilitates communication, focuses efforts,
  coordinates action, making connections or
• Others do the work we take the credit

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IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT UNIT

• BWC Implementation Support Unit
• Bureau C.117
• UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
• United Nations Office at Geneva
• Palais des Nations
• CH-1211 Geneva 10
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email bwc_at_unog.ch
• URL www.unog.ch/bwc/nid