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Iran’s statement before the Third Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the BWC – 4 December 2023

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Statement

By

 Mr. Mahdi Aliabadi,

Deputy Permanent Representative  of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before

The Third Meeting of the Working Group

on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention

on Confidence Building Measures and Transparency

 

December 4, 2023, Geneva

 

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

 

Thank you Mr. Chair,

At the outset let me congratulate you once again for your election as chair of the working group on the strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention. I assure you of my delegation’s full support, and cooperation.

I would also like to thank the distinguished panelists for their informative inputs earlier this morning.

Mr. Chair,

As it has been elaborated today morning in details by the panelists, confidence-building measures (CBMs) for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention were established in 1986 and have undergone modifications in content, quality, and usability in recent decades. However, recognizing their insufficiency and inefficiency, Member States, in the last Rev Con in 2022, reached an agreement to mandate the Working Group to identify, examine, and develop specific and effective measures, including potentially legally binding ones, to strengthen and institutionalize the Convention comprehensively.

 

My delegation asserts that compliance assurance with the BWC's provisions should be collectively undertaken through appropriate multilateral and legally binding verification arrangements. Unfortunately, the absence of a legally binding instrument for compliance assessment, stemming from a single state party's irresponsible veto in 2001, has led to reliance on voluntary measures such as CBMs.

 

 While previous negotiations proposed transparency and confidence-building measures, it is evident that depending on unilateral and voluntary measures is inadequate for fostering a secure and transparent global environment. The prevalence of unilateral measures has resulted in continued accusations, contributing to mistrust and instability. Voluntary frameworks, including CBMs, while contribute in building trust, cannot substitute legally binding means for compliance assessment and verification.

 

Since the establishment of CBMs, there has been a trend toward selective and parochial outcomes, eroding confidence among member states. This trend intensified accusations and counter-accusations, impacting compliance and leading to policies such as national export controls and the imposition of Unilateral Measures, contradicting the convention's letter and spirit. Recognizing the shortcomings of the current approach is imperative. Discussions in the last intercessional process highlighted the insufficiency of proposals, emphasizing the need for a balanced and comprehensive approach to strengthen the Convention.

 

To overcome these challenges and create a more open and collaborative environment, a shift towards a more robust, legally binding instrument is essential. This instrument would address the limitations of non-binding measures and establish a framework for collective commitment and accountability. Concentrating efforts on such an instrument can effectively mitigate risks associated with unilateral actions, strengthening international cooperation and ensuring the BWC's efficacy.

 

Mr. Chair,

In conclusion, a more comprehensive and effective verification framework is crucial for building confidence among member states and ensuring the BWC's efficacy. Without a legally binding mechanism with verification provisions, any measures remain voluntary and only serve as tools for transparency and building trust among States Parties in the Convention's implementation. Any development in this area should contribute in advancing the ultimate goal of compliance with the with the provision of the convention.

 

I thank you.