10 November 2016, Geneva—In the General Debate of the Eighth Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC) held on November 07, the Philippines’ Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) National Focal Point Col. Jose S. Embang Jr. highlighted the Philippines’ efforts in implementing the BTWC through the National CBRN Action Plan and the country’s active engagement on the matter within the Asia Pacific region.

He emphasized the necessity of developing and maintaining cooperation and synergy with international organizations, such as INTERPOL, World Customs Organization, World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Philippines is part of various disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives that deal with the threat of biological weapons such as the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Other Materials of Mass Destruction.

Part of the Philippines’ efforts in the regional promotion of BWC implementation is seen in the ASEAN Regional Forum workshops, co-chaired with the United States and Australia, which focus on bio-threat reduction, bio-risk management, disease surveillance, detection, preparedness and response. In addition, the Philippines has been host to the EU CBRN Center of Excellence in Southeast Asia since 2013.

The Eighth BTWC, also known as Biological Weapons Convention, Review Conference will be held from November 07 to 25 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. The Review Conference is held every five (5) years. During the Seventh Review Conference held in Geneva in 2011, the Philippines was nominated as one of the Vice-Presidents and appointed as a facilitator of the discussions on Assistance and Cooperation. Proposals in the Eighth Review Conference seek to further strengthen the Convention by enhancing cooperation, improving transparency and confidence among State Parties, and developing practical measures to implement the Convention nationally and globally in light of advances in life sciences and biotechnology.  

The aim of the treaty is to ensure the elimination of this particular kind of Weapon of Mass Destruction, which if unleashed upon a population could cause untold suffering upon the public. Philippine participation in this conference enhances the nation’s security against biological threats as well as enhances the ability of concerned government agencies to deal with a threat should one arise. The BTWC was negotiated in 1972 and entered into force in 1975, the Philippines became a state party in 1972.  The Convention has 177 State Parties. END