Latest news with #BiologicalWeaponsConvention
Business Recorder
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Fifth round of Pakistan–European Union dialogue held
ISLAMABAD: The fifth round of the Pakistan–European Union dialogue on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament was held in Islamabad on 12th June 2025. The Pakistan delegation was led by Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Additional Foreign Secretary for Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS), while the European Union delegation was headed by Ambassador Stephan Klement, EU Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. Both sides engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views on issues related to international and regional peace, security, and strategic stability. Pakistan side briefed their EU interlocutors on developments in the wake of recent Pakistan-India conflict. The discussions also focused on various dimensions of disarmament and non-proliferation, with particular reference to the agenda of the UN General Assembly's First Committee, the Conference on Disarmament and International Conventions, including the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). In addition, the dialogue reviewed recent trends in Multilateral Export Control Regimes (MECRs) and assessed the implications of Emerging Technologies on global security. The avenues for enhanced cooperation in the domain of Science Diplomacy were explored as well. The two sides agreed to hold the sixth round of the dialogue in Brussels in 2026. During his visit to Pakistan, the EU Special Envoy met the foreign secretary and attended roundtable discussion at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad. The Pakistan–EU Dialogue on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament is an integral part of the broader strategic engagement between Pakistan and the European Union, which has been institutionalised since 2012. Pakistan attaches high importance to this regular mechanism of dialogue, recognising it as a vital platform for constructive engagement on global and regional security as well as on disarmament and non-proliferation issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
China developing deadly Marine Toxins, may be merging AI with bioweapons: U.S. Report
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in the United States for allegedly attempting to smuggle a highly dangerous fungus into the country, which the FBI says could be used as an agroterrorism incident adds to growing concerns over China's alleged bioweapons to a 2025 U.S. State Department report, China may be incorporating artificial intelligence into its biological weapons (BW) program. The report, released in April, warns that China could be leveraging publicly available AI and machine learning tools to enhance bioweapon development."China probably is unable to make complex scientific equipment without Western innovation. It probably is capable of using publicly available artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) tools to advance efforts related to BW applications," the report a signatory to the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), China is prohibited under international law from developing bioweapons. However, the report stops short of confirming current BW activity, while noting China's historical possession of such weapons and the lack of evidence showing their report also alleges that China has failed to disclose two historical BW facilities in Beijing and Lingbao. These sites were reportedly involved in the development of military-grade biological agents including anthrax, cholera, plague, tularemia, ricin, and botulinum toxins.'Historical information suggests that China's BW production occurred at two facilities, in Beijing and Lingbao, prior to China signing the BWC in 1972. Although China has submitted BWC CBMs each year since 1989, China's CBM reporting has never identified these facilities or otherwise disclosed it ever pursued an offensive BW program,' the report particular concern is China's ongoing research into potent marine toxins—naturally occurring compounds from marine organisms with possible bioweapons applications. The State Department believes China still depends on Western innovation to manufacture the specialized equipment required for large-scale bioweapon integration of AI into such programs, the report warns, could have devastating global consequences. It draws parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic, which many believe may have originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology—a facility known for its gain-of-function research aimed at increasing virus transmissibility. The report suggests that similar research, when combined with advanced AI, could result in a future catastrophe of even greater magnitude.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Kiribati Accedes To The Biological Weapons Convention
Press Release – U.S. Department of State The BWC is critical to international efforts to address the threat posed by biological weapons, whether in the hands of State or non-State actors. Maximizing the BWCs effectiveness requires all States to become Parties and fully implement its obligations. MAY 20, 2025 The United States congratulates Kiribati, which deposited its instrument of accession to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) with the United States on May 20, 2025. In this 50th anniversary year of the BWC, the United States, as one of the treaty's depositary governments, recognizes and welcomes Kiribati's important decision to join the more than 180 other BWC States Parties in advancing the goal of complete elimination of biological weapons. With Kiribati's accession, all countries in the Asia Pacific region are now party to the BWC, increasing our collective security. The BWC is critical to international efforts to address the threat posed by biological weapons, whether in the hands of State or non-State actors. Maximizing the BWC's effectiveness requires all States to become Parties and fully implement its obligations. We strongly urge all States not party to the BWC to join the Convention without delay.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Kiribati Accedes To The Biological Weapons Convention
TAMMY BRUCE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON MAY 20, 2025 The United States congratulates Kiribati, which deposited its instrument of accession to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) with the United States on May 20, 2025. In this 50th anniversary year of the BWC, the United States, as one of the treaty's depositary governments, recognizes and welcomes Kiribati's important decision to join the more than 180 other BWC States Parties in advancing the goal of complete elimination of biological weapons. With Kiribati's accession, all countries in the Asia Pacific region are now party to the BWC, increasing our collective security. The BWC is critical to international efforts to address the threat posed by biological weapons, whether in the hands of State or non-State actors. Maximizing the BWC's effectiveness requires all States to become Parties and fully implement its obligations. We strongly urge all States not party to the BWC to join the Convention without delay.
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Senate adopts ‘Biological & Toxins Weapons' bill
ISLAMABAD: The Senate, Tuesday, passed the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (Implementation) Bill, 2025, a government legislative draft, that seeks to ensure Pakistan's compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Law Minister Azam Tarar presented the bill in the Senate session presided over by Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan that was passed by the House. According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, Pakistan is a signatory to the BWC which was adopted in 1972. Pakistan signed it in the same year and ratified it in 1974. 'It is important to highlight that this bill will establish bodies and mechanisms to ensure compliance with the BWC in Pakistan,' says the Statement of Objects and Reasons of this bill. The bill envisages the establishment of an institutional mechanism to implement provisions of the BWC. The House passed another legislative draft; the National Commission for Minorities' Rights Bill, 2025, also moved by the law minister. The bill provides for the establishment of a national commission to ensure the protection of the rights of minorities in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Senate concluded debate on escalated tension between India and Pakistan. Winding up the discussion, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said, Pakistan would not resort to start the war with India first, but 'there would be tit for tat response in case of any misadventure by India.' He said India cannot unilaterally revoke Indus Waters Treaty. 'Such agreements cannot be revoked unless both parties agree,' he said. 'We suspect that India staged this entire drama to revoke the Indus Waters Treaty,' Dar said. He said China and Turkiye have extended their support to Pakistan in the wake of confrontation with India. In this context, he said, contacts have also been made with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hungary and Azerbaijan. Earlier, Aon Abbas Buppi from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demanded convening an all-parties conference to forge national unity amidst ongoing tension with India. 'To show national unity—that we are on the same page—Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari – all should sit together to give a loud and clear message.' Abbas said the world would start 'trembling… seeing this kind of national unity.' 'You bring Imran Khan here, no power would dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan,' the PTI senator said. He took on Zardari and Sharif for not giving any public statement in the existing situation. Raja Nasir Abbas from Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) said India wants to isolate Pakistan on all fronts. 'In response, we bring PECA Act, strangulate our media. India is uniting its people, making popular government, their system is protecting popular leadership—different countries have supported India due to Modi's foreign policy — and do we stand? Where is our foreign policy, diplomacy, media war?' Abbas demanded that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and other responsible government officials brief the Parliament on the matter. 'Get Imran Khan out of jail. Only he can counter Modi. He is the person who can deal with internal and external challenges,' the senator said. Other senators from different political parties also shared their views regarding escalated hostility between India and Pakistan. The Senate session was prorogued. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
