BTWC

BTWC stands for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, an international treaty that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of biological agents and toxins for hostile purposes, as well as assistance or encouragement to others to acquire such weapons. The treaty also requires parties to avoid assisting any state or non-state actor in acquiring materials or expertise that could be used for biological weapons, while allowing peaceful biological research and development under appropriate biosafety and biosecurity measures.

The BTWC was opened for signature in 1972 and entered into force in 1975. It builds on earlier norms against the deliberate use of biological agents and provides a framework for international norms and states parties’ obligations. The treaty covers a wide range of biological agents, toxins, equipment, and delivery systems that could be used to weaponize biological threats.

Core provisions require states parties to adopt national measures to implement the treaty, including legal and regulatory frameworks for biosafety, biosecurity, and export controls. While the BTWC prohibits prohibited activities, it does not include a formal verification regime; instead it relies on Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), voluntary declarations, national implementations, and diplomatic mechanisms to promote compliance and transparency. Periodic Review Conferences examine the treaty’s functioning and consider improvements, with the aim of strengthening norms and cooperation.

Implementation and governance are supported by an Implementation Support Unit, established to assist with CBMs, outreach, and institutional coordination. The BTWC engages with the broader disarmament and non-proliferation architecture and emphasizes universalization, biosecurity, and international cooperation to prevent the development and use of biological weapons.