India Calls for Modernising the Biological Weapons Convention at Global South Biosecurity Conference
At a major conference in New Delhi, India and representatives from 80+ countries discussed strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention, enhancing compliance, and improving global biosecurity for the next 50 years.
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A conference titled “50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention: Strengthening Bio-Security for the Global South” took place in New Delhi. It brought together experts, diplomats, and representatives from over 80 countries. The discussions focused on updating the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the important role that India and the Global South have in shaping global biosecurity.
During the conference, participants pointed out that the BWC is still a crucial safeguard against the misuse of life sciences, especially in a world with growing security risks. Speakers noted that the Convention is missing basic structures, such as a compliance system, a permanent technical body, and a way to track new scientific and technological advances.
The need to update the Convention and introduce better compliance measures was a major theme. Attendees emphasized the importance of building global capacity to keep up with rapid advancements in science and technology. They also highlighted that biological threats can move quickly, cross borders easily, and overwhelm public health systems, making international cooperation essential.
India reaffirmed its strong commitment to implementing the BWC effectively. The country’s track record in preventing the spread of sensitive and dual-use technologies was noted, along with the success of the Vaccine Maitri initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. India also proposed a National Implementation Framework that focuses on identifying high-risk agents, regulating dual-use research, improving domestic reporting, enhancing incident management, and ensuring ongoing training.
The conference ended with a shared belief that the Global South should take an active role in shaping the future of the BWC over the next 50 years. With both significant vulnerabilities and valuable expertise, the Global South plays a crucial part in creating a stronger, safer, and more resilient global biosecurity system.