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New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) India is set to host a major international conference next week to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), which will bring together representatives from over 80 countries from the Global South to discuss the emerging challenges of biosecurity, biosecurity and emerging biological technologies.
Scientists, policy makers, diplomats and experts from several multilateral institutions are expected to attend the two-day meeting to be held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan here on December 1-2.
With only a few days left for the international conference, preparations are underway for a major gathering of biosecurity experts and diplomats from across the Global South.
Addressing the X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Monday said: “Only six days left! In line with India’s strong commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation, @MEAIndia is organizing an international conference to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC): 50 Years of BWC: Strengthening Biosecurity for the Global South, 1-2 December 2025.”
He informed that the venue of the program will be Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi.
“Experts from more than 80 countries in the Global South and representatives of regional and international organizations will participate,” Jaiswal said.
This initiative marks completion of five decades of BWC’s existence.
India is one of 189 signatories to the treaty, most of which are developing countries, and has repeatedly stressed the importance of strengthening global norms against biological weapons.
Announcing the preparations, Jaiswal said the conference reflects India’s continued commitment to the global disarmament and non-proliferation framework and aims to support the Global South in building biosecurity resilience.
According to officials, the sessions will examine how the BWC has contributed to international peace and security over the past 50 years and assess how global developments, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, have reshaped public health governance and raised new concerns about biological risks.
Delegates will also discuss the complementarity of the Convention with export control regimes such as the Australia Group and consider ways to enhance international cooperation in preventing the misuse of biological agents.
An important part of the deliberations will focus on the vulnerabilities faced by developing countries.
Officials noted that the Global South faces a disproportionate burden of biosecurity and biosecurity risks due to rapid urbanization, uneven public health capacities, and increased exposure to zoonotic threats.
Panel discussions will highlight gaps in regional and national institutional frameworks and underline the importance of a “One Health” approach that integrates human, animal and environmental health to address complex biological challenges.
The meeting will also explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of life sciences. Advances in synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and gene-editing tools have opened up huge opportunities for improving disease surveillance, early warning systems, and emergency responses.
At the same time, they also raise concerns about potential abuses, particularly by non-state actors. Officials said the conference will consider the need for stronger oversight, regulation and responsible innovation norms to ensure that these technologies do not increase existing risks.
It is expected that the discussion will culminate in a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the implementation of the BWC and enhancing biosecurity partnerships in the Global South.
India hopes the conference will serve as a platform to advance practical cooperation and strengthen the global consensus against the use of biological weapons, officials said.
–IANS
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