OttawaVertrag

The Ottawa Treaty, officially known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, is an international treaty aimed at preventing the proliferation of biological weapons. Signed on April 10, 1997, in Ottawa, Canada, the treaty entered into force on March 26, 1999. As of 2023, it has been ratified by 169 states, including all members of the United Nations except for India, Israel, and the United States.

The Ottawa Treaty prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological weapons and their means of delivery. It also requires states to destroy their existing biological weapons and facilities within a specified timeframe. The treaty's provisions are enforced through a verification regime, which includes on-site inspections and the submission of declarations by states parties.

The Ottawa Treaty is part of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Convention (CWC), which also prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. The CWC entered into force on April 29, 1997, the same day as the Ottawa Treaty.

The treaty has been widely praised for its role in promoting global security and non-proliferation. However, it has also faced criticism for its limited scope and the challenges of enforcing its provisions. Despite these challenges, the Ottawa Treaty remains a significant step towards the elimination of biological weapons and the promotion of international peace and security.