U N I T E D N A T I O N S N A T I O N S U N I E S

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

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MESSAGE ON THE 40TH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENTRY INTO FORCE

OF THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

26 March 2015

Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological

Weapons Convention, the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire

category of weapons of mass destruction. Over the past four decades, the Biological

Weapons Convention has made an important contribution towards collective efforts to

eliminate such threats. Today, the norm against the use and possession of biological

weapons remains strong, and no country identifies itself as possessing biological

weapons.

However, we must remain vigilant. The Eighth Review Conference in 2016 is

an opportunity to consolidate progress and consider how to adapt this landmark

Convention to the challenges posed by advances in science and technology as well as

potential risks posed by terrorists and other non-state actors. I encourage States

Parties to think creatively about how to build confidence in compliance with the

Convention.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa demonstrates the damage which diseases

can inflict, damage which could increase massively were such diseases deliberately

misused as weapons. On the other hand, the outbreak also demonstrates the

commitment of the international community to respond to such threats, whether

natural or deliberate. It also shows the vital role of science in creating better

defences. As we witness ever more remarkable breakthroughs in the life sciences, it

is incumbent on us to ensure that such advances are used responsibly.

Forty years after its entry into force, the Biological Weapons Convention now

has the support of 173 States parties. I call on the 23 governments that have not yet

joined the Convention to do so without delay. In this anniversary year, all countries

should reaffirm their unequivocal rejection of the use of disease as a weapon.