Enhancing the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention: Preparing for the 2nd Intersessional Process

Inaugural Seminar

organized by the

Diplomatic Studies Programme, Graduate Institute of International Studies

and the

BioWeapons Prevention Project

Date: 22 November 2007
Venue: Graduate Institute of International Studies, 132, rue de Lausanne, Room S1, Geneva

09:30–10:00 Registration

OPENING SESSION
10:00–10:05 Mot de bienvenue,

Prof. Philippe Burrin, Directeur, Institut universitaire de hautes études internationales

10:05–10:15 Goals of the Diplomatic Training Course

Dr Jean Pascal Zanders, Director, BioWeapons Prevention Project

BTWC 2ND INTERSESSIONAL PROCESS
10:15–10:40 From the 6th Review Conference to the 2nd Intersessional Process

Ambassador Masood Khan (Pakistan), Chairman of the Meeting of Experts and the Meeting of the States Parties 2007

10:40–11:00 The BTWC Implementation Support Unit and the Work programme 2007–10

Dr Piers Millett, Political Affairs Officer, Implementation Support Unit

11:00–11:20 Discussion

11:20–11:30 Short break

CHALLENGES TO SECURITY POSED BY DISEASE

11:30–12:00 International Cooperation to Counter Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases

Dr Ottorino Cosivi, Project Leader, Preparedness for Deliberate Epidemics, BioRisk Reduction for Dangerous Pathogens, Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response, World Health Organisation (WHO)

12:00–12:30 The BTWC and the Norm Against Deliberate Disease

Dr Jean Pascal Zanders, Director, BioWeapons Prevention Project

12:30–13:00 Discussion

13:00–14:30 Lunch

THE 2ND INTERSESSIONAL PROCESS: THEMES FOR THE 2007 MEETING

14:30–14:50 Implementing the BTWC: Issue Areas and Practical Considerations

Dr Ralf Trapp, Legal Coordinator, BioWeapons Prevention Project

14:50–15:10 Promouvoir la coopération régionale et sub-régionale en faveur de la CIAB

Mme Khadija R. Masri, Représentant Permanent de l’Union Africaine auprès de l’Office des Nations Unies à Genève

(Delivered in English by Mr Usman Sarki, Minister)

15:10–15:30 The European Union’s Activities in Support of the BTWC

Dr Andreas Strub, Coordinator, Office of the Personal Representative of the High Representative for the EU Foreign and Security Policy on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

15:30-16:00 Discussion

16:00–16:30 Coffee break

INFORMATION TOOLS IN SUPPORT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BTWC
16:30–17:00 Presentation of

• The BioWeapons Monitor, by Dr Jean Pascal Zanders, Director, BioWeapons Prevention Project
• The Implementation Support Unit Website, by Dr Piers Millett, Political Affairs Officer, Implementation Support Unit (Slide presentation)
• The EU Joint Action in support of the BTWC Website, by Dr Jean Pascal Zanders, Director, BioWeapons Prevention Project, entrusted with the technical implementation of the EU Joint Action

17:00-17:15 Discussion

17:15-17:30 Conclusions

17:30–19:30 Reception offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland