Biological Weapons Convention Annual Meeting of States Parties

The United States welcomes the successful conclusion of the Annual Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention. This treaty, which has been in force since 1975, establishes a worldwide ban on germ and toxin weapons. The meeting, held in Geneva from November 10 to 14, was intended to reinforce the obligations contained in the Convention by focusing attention on adoption of national measures to implement the Convention’s prohibitions, including penal legislation, and national mechanisms to ensure the security of dangerous pathogens and toxins.

We are very pleased that at a political level the member states were able to build on the progress achieved by experts in August in carrying out the work program agreed at the November 2002 Review Conference. The successful outcome of the meeting clearly demonstrates that a focused effort to examine specific topics in depth can assist member states in fulfilling their obligations under the Convention.

2003/1177