On 20 November 2020, UNLIREC carried out a Workshop to assist Chilean authorities responsible for drafting the national Regulations of the Law that implements the Biological Weapons Convention (Law 21.250). The event was supported by “UNODA’s Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities – in support of resolution 1540 (2004)”, financed by the Government of Canada, and it was organized with the technical support of the. Director of Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Discussions among the over 50 participants (25 women) evolved around the following topics: the basis for national legislation to control biological agents and assets that can be used for both legitimate (e.g. medicine) and illegitimate purposes (biological weapons proliferation); best practices to prevent the diversion and misuse of biological agents and toxins (biosecurity), and relevant measures contained in the US legislation that could be of interest for Chile. In addition, a fruitful exchange of views was held on criteria for defining the content of a national control list of biological agents and toxins, as well as the requirements for the authorization of the legitimate use of such items.
Moreover, the workshop facilitated dialogue on needs and further steps that need to be taken to strengthen the national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention and United Nations Security Council resolution 1540. In this regard, the event contributes to Chile’s efforts to comply with its international obligations regarding the non-proliferation of biological weapons.
For more information on UNLIREC, visit www.unlirec.org. Please direct all questions or inquiries to: Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer at cowl@unlirec.org.