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50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention: Past, Present and Future

New Arrival 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention: Past, Present and Future

50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention: Past, Present and Future

Author: Barry de Vries; Kristoffer Burck; Sannimari Veini
Publisher: T.M.C. Asser Press
ISBN: 9789462657069
Published In: April 2026
Format: Hardback
Jurisdiction: Netherlands ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

HKD 2,393.00

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Marking the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), this book collects contributions by leading scholars and practitioners to assess the legacy, current challenges, and future trajectory of one of the cornerstone treaties in arms control and disarmament. As the first multilateral treaty to ban an entire class of weapons, the BWC has played a central role in shaping international norms against the hostile use of biology. Yet, half a century later, questions about its effectiveness, enforcement and evolution remain.

This volume offers an examination of the BWC’s development, from its Cold War origins to its modern-day relevance in a world marked by rapid advances in biotechnology, increasing geopolitical tensions, and emerging biological threats. The contributions reflect on the treaty’s history, assess its institutional and normative strengths and shortcomings, and engage with contemporary points of contention, including dual-use research and verification.

Looking forward, the volume discusses possible pathways for strengthening the BWC, exploring new mechanisms for compliance, transparency and international cooperation. It also addresses the importance of bridging the gaps between scientific innovation, policy development and security governance.

Intended for both academic audiences and policy practitioners, 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention provides critical insights and forward-looking perspectives on the enduring relevance of the BWC. Whether read as a historical retrospective or a call to action for the future of biological disarmament, this collection offers an essential resource for those committed to understanding and enhancing global biosecurity in an increasingly complex world.

1. Introduction: The Biological Weapons Convention at 50

2. Public Resistance to Biological Weapons in the 1960s: The Case of the UK

3. The Singular Position of France Towards the Biological Weapons Convention as a Critic of the Treaty and its Fluctuating Negotiations

4. Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of the Biological Weapons Convention Research Community

5. Fifty Years of Efforts to Strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention: A Long and Winding Road

6. The Legal Corrolary of the Biological Weapons Convention as Included in the Convention's Preamble

7. Article V of the Biological Weapons Convention: Between a Compliance Mechanism and a Dispute Settlement Agreement

8. The BWC's Increasing Interconnectedness

9. Review Conferences: The Lifeblood of the Convention

10. The BWC and UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004): Strengthening the 'Quasi-Compliance' Role of the 1540 Committee Against Bioterrorism

11. BWC and the Regional: Permeation of and Reflection on the Biological Weapons Prohibition in Regional Institutions

12. How Can Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Groups Effectively Support an Effective International Prohibition Regime? Perspectives Following Two Review Conferences

13. Dual-Use of Biotechnology, Biodefense, and Challenges to the Future Verification of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

14. The Evolution of BWC Article X and Prospects for International Cooperation in the Future

15. A Structured Approach to Review: Emerging Trends in Biotechnology Research and Innovation

16. The Biological Weapons Convention in the Age of Synthetic Nucleic Acids

17. The Calculation "BWC+S&T+Verification" Does Not Work without the Variable "Convergence"

18. Where Did The Biological Weapons Convention Come From? Indicative Timeline and Key Events, 1925-1975