50th Anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the first multilateral treaty to prohibit an entire category of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), marked its 50th anniversary. Opened for signature in April 1972, it officially came into force on March 26, 1975.
 

About the BWC

 

Formally known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, the BWC aims to eliminate the threat of biological and toxin weapons.

 

1. Nature of Biological and Toxin Weapons
   1. These include microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, or toxic substances derived from living organisms, deliberately used to cause harm to humans, animals, or plants.
   2. Examples: Anthrax, Botulinum toxin, and Plague.
   3. Consequences: Food insecurity, environmental disasters, economic damage, public health crises, and societal unrest.
2. Background: Negotiated in Geneva, Switzerland, under the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament.

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3. Key Provisions
   1. The BWC prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling, and use of biological and toxin weapons.
   2. It strengthens the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which only banned the use of such weapons but not their development or stockpiling.
4. Membership
   1. The convention has 188 States Parties and four Signatory States (Egypt, Haiti, Somalia, and Syria).
   2. India is a signatory to the BWC.
       

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Other International Treaties Prohibiting WMD Nuclear Weapons Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) (Must Read: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) - 55 Years Since Coming Into Force) Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Missiles Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC) Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Chemical Weapons: Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

 

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