On the initiatives of the Russian Federation for the Ninth BTWC Review Conference. Briefing by Chief of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov
(November, 26, 2022).
Despite their evident military-biological focus, the US and Ukraine remain deliberately discreet regarding collaborative BWC reporting actions.
In response to new challenges and dangers,
the Russian Federation suggests the following:
Firstly, to reopen discussions for
a legally binding protocol to the BWC that contains lists of viruses, poisons, and specialised equipment, takes into account contemporary biological research and technology, and includes an effective verification system.
Secondly, confidence-building methods should be supplemented with
information about biological defence research and development outside of national boundaries, as well as animal vaccine production facilities.
And
finally, to establish a
scientific advisory committee with broad geographical representation and equal rights for participants to evaluate advances in science and technology related to the Convention.
The actual execution of our ideas
will increase the openness of national biological programmes and the compliance of all States Parties with the provisions of the Convention.
The Russian Federation has repeatedly pointed to evidence that the United States and its allies are conducting
dual-use programs outside their national borders, including through the operation of bio-laboratories under their control and
so-called shared-use laboratories funded by these States’ military departments or organisations affiliated with them.
Many questions concerning the true goals of the Pentagon's research programs
have so far gone unanswered.
We want to return to them during the next Ninth Review Conference of the BWC States Parties.
