Tashkent, 2 August 2022 (TDI): During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting of foreign ministers on July 29, a joint statement on the strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) was released by the foreign ministers of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
#Biosecurity bears on security&development interests of all countries.During #SCO FMs’ Meeting,Foreign Ministers of #Russia,#China,#Kazakhstan,#Kyrgyzstan,#Pakistan,#Tajikistan& #Uzbekistan released a joint statement on strengthening #BiologicalWeaponsConvention(#BWC) on July 29. pic.twitter.com/oVygHuTinP
— Ji Rong嵇蓉 (@JiRongMFA) August 1, 2022
Biological Weapons Convention
A multinational agreement known as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) prohibits the creation, manufacture, acquisition, transfer, storage, and use of biological and toxin weapons.
It was the first international disarmament agreement to prohibit Weapons of Mass destruction (WMD).
The BWC has created a strong norm against biological weapons. It is a significant component of the international community’s efforts to control the spread of WMD.
With 184 States Parties and four Signatory States, the Convention has virtually universal membership.
SCO meeting
The foreign ministers of SCO member states attended the SCO meeting on 29, July 2022. The goal of the summit was to set targets and take concrete actions to further the SCO’s existing operations.
The summit also examined the state of multilateral cooperation and its future possibilities. In view of the present geopolitical conditions, a special focus was made on how to strengthen the organization’s influence on global affairs.
Also Read: SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Uzbekistan
Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers
The joint statement by SCO member states reinforces the value of the BWC for global security.
The member states came together for discussions on a verification protocol. They raised concerns over the lack of a verification mechanism within the BWC framework.
The statement supports achieving a balance between security and development and preserving all countries’ rights to the peaceful use of biotechnology.
Several parties proposed initiatives to strengthen global biosecurity governance and incorporate details on the overseas biological military operations carried out by the BWC States.
Moreover, China put forward the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists. Kazakhstan on the other hand proposed the creation of an International Agency for Biological Safety.
This joint statement reflects the parties’ sense of responsibility and commitment to uphold global biosecurity governance and engage in multilateralism.
All state’s interests are impacted by biosecurity. President Xi Jinping emphasized the necessity to collaborate on issues like biosecurity while introducing the Global Security Initiative.
At the end of this year, the BWC will hold its ninth review conference. Member states are ready to collaborate to strengthen the BWC procedures.
They will also expand SCO-based discourse and cooperation on biosecurity and enhance the global biosecurity governance framework.
 meeting of foreign ministers on July 29, a joint statement on the...read more){kind=link}