Journal de bioterrorisme et de biodéfense

Abstrait

9th REVIEW CONFERENCE: STRENGTHENING OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

Amna Saqib, Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid

Pandemics have always appeared in numerous manifestations throughout the history. The devastating COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 but, the world is still in its clutches. Above two and half million lives have already been lost worldwide. The magnitude of Coronavirus has already produced the effects that fundamentally change the actions of the states on infectious diseases globally. It has also highlighted the power of disease that can be too fatal and widespread to bring life to an abrupt and total standstill. Further, this has exposed the serious weakness of the states in their national preparedness to respond to this global pandemic. It is timely and necessary to address this type of pandemics. The states have already been working hard to control and ease the potential effects of infectious diseases. As part of that work, it should be possible now that the 45 years old Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention stands on a new starting line. It is to be hoped that the international community will bring protracted discussions on the serious working of the Convention to a successful conclusion. This paper will help in identifying the possible options that the State Parties should discuss to strengthen the Convention, enhancement in its potency and implementation at the upcoming 9th Review Conference of BWTC which is scheduled to be held in November 2021.