A side event titled “International Agency for Biological Security: Progress and Prospects in the Context of the Institutionalization of the BWC” organized by the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in Geneva was convened on December 4 at the Palais des Nations. Held on the sidelines of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), the event brought together diplomats, experts, and stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches to enhancing global biosecurity measures, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported.
Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN in Geneva Yerlan Alimbayev informed the participants about the updated draft documents on the establishment of the Agency and noted the importance of joint efforts to address biosecurity risks in an era of emerging challenges. He shared the progress in the implementation of Kazakhstan’s initiative to create the International Agency for Biological Security (IABS) and informed the participants about the new resolution of the UN General Assembly supporting institutionalization measures for the BWC.
The International Agency for Biological Security is an initiative launched by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in 2020.
On December 2, 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution encouraging the exploration of measures to institutionalize the BWC, including the possibility of creating an international agency for biological security.
The main proposals of Kazakhstan’s initiative include:
— development of international standards for working with pathogens and biotechnology, including transportation, storage and disposal;
— creation of a platform for the rapid exchange of data between countries on epidemiological threats, research and best practices;
— development of international research programs to prevent pandemics, improve diagnostic methods and therapy of infectious diseases;
— organization of an early warning system for biological threats using modern technologies, including artificial intelligence;
— assistance to countries, especially developing ones, in strengthening their biosecurity capacity.
