Held in Conjunction with the 2018 Meeting of State Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
The first annual Global Forum on Scientific Advances Important to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, hosted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, addressed rapidly emerging advancements in biology and biotechnology and their impact on bioweapons nonproliferation policy. The daylong event on December 3 in Geneva, Switzerland, immediately preceded the 2018 Meeting of States Parties (MSP) to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC). Members of States Parties’ delegations and others in Geneva registered for the MSP were encouraged to attend.
This event featured expert panel and speaker discussions on current and future biological capabilities relevant to the BWC, including potential for misuse and opportunities to boost efforts to prevent biological weapons development and strengthen bioweapons nonproliferation norms. The Global Forum facilitated engagement between scientists and policymakers, bringing leading-edge biological scientists from around the world to speak with BWC delegations and other stakeholders about how new biotechnology tools and approaches might pose new risks and explore new solutions for existing and emerging biological weapons challenges.
In addition, the Global Forum emphasized the importance of engaging the scientific community and private sector to support bioweapons nonproliferation norms, policies, and programs.
Those who have questions or need more information may email Dr. Gigi Gronvall, senior scholar at the Center, at ggronvall@jhu.edu.
Download the Global Forum On Scientific Advances Important To The Biological And Toxin Weapons Convention Meeting Report (PDF).
View presentations from the Global Forum On Scientific Advances Important To The Biological And Toxin Weapons Convention.
View and download photos from the event. Photos are in a Flickr gallery but can be made available outside of Flickr if necessary.
Palais des Nations, Room XXIV
| 0900 | Check-in & Catered Breakfast |
| 0930 | Welcome Remarks His Excellency Ambassador Ljupco Gjorgjinski, Chargé d’Affaires of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Chairman of the 2018 Meeting of the States Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention with introduction by Gigi Gronvall, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security |
| 0945 | Session #1: The Cutting Edge of Biology: What is the Current State of Capabilities and What are the Impacts on the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1100 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 1130 | Session #2: What are the current and historical approaches to addressing advancements in science & technology and their impact on the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1230 | Catered Lunch |
| 1330 | Keynote Address Jason Matheny, Former Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), Office of the Director of National Intelligence, United States of America |
| 1440 | Session #3: Looking to the Future: What capabilities can we expect of advanced biology that could play a positive or negative role in the BWC and bioweapons nonproliferation norms? Moderator:
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| 1540 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 1610 | Session #4: How to Leverage Science and Technology to Strengthen the BWC? Moderator:
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| 1725 | Closing Remarks on Importance of Continued Dialogue Gigi Gronvall, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security |
| 1730 | Closing Reception |
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