From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
Why in the News?
March 26, 2025, marked the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.
About the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
- The BWC also known as the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), is a disarmament treaty aimed at banning biological and toxin weapons.
- It prohibits activities related to the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling, and use of biological and toxin weapons.
Negotiation and Adoption of BWC:
- Negotiated in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1969 to 1971.
- Draft versions were tabled by the USA and USSR in August 1971.
- The treaty was opened for signature on April 10, 1972, in London, Moscow, and Washington, D.C.
- It entered into force on March 26, 1975, after the required ratifications.
Key Provisions of BWC:
- Article I: Prohibits development, production, stockpiling, and use of biological weapons.
- Article II: Requires destruction or conversion of biological agents, toxins, and weapons to peaceful purposes before joining.
- Article III: Prohibits transfer or assistance in acquiring biological weapons.
- Article VI: Allows states to file complaints with the UN Security Council about treaty violations.
- Article X: Promotes the exchange of materials and information for peaceful purposes.
Structure and Membership of BWC:
- Depositaries: United States, United Kingdom, and Russian Federation are the depositary governments.
- Membership: As of February 2025, 188 states are parties to the treaty, with 4 states having signed but not ratified, and 9 states have neither signed nor ratified.
- Review Conferences: Held every 5 years to assess the treaty’s implementation and strengthen confidence-building measures.
India and the BWC:
- India is a party to the BWC.
- India has implemented national measures and established legal frameworks to comply with the provisions of the BWC, preventing the development or use of biological weapons.
| [UPSC 2017] With reference to the Biological Weapons Convention, consider the following statements:
1.It prohibits the development, production, stockpiling or use of biological and toxin weapons. 2. It has a verification mechanism to check compliance by member States. 3. It is an umbrella treaty under the aegis of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
