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Iran’s statement before the Third Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the BWC - December 8 2023 Gene

Statement

By

Mr. Ehsan Miri,

The representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before

the Third Meeting of the Working Group

on the Strengthening of The Biological Weapons Convention

on Organizational, Institutional and Financial Arrangements

December 8, 2023, Geneva

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Thank you, Mr. Chair,

My country attaches great importance to the position of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in the international legal architecture concerning weapons of mass destruction. We firmly believe that universal adherence to and the continued strengthening of the Convention will significantly contribute to advancing disarmament efforts.

Since the Convention's inception, the absence of a legally binding instrument has been identified as a critical gap. We assert that the lack of such a mechanism not only hampers the implementation of Convention provisions but also perpetuates existing monopolies and inequalities in accessing health technologies, diagnostics, therapeutics, medicines, and vaccines—particularly affecting developing countries.

In response to this issue, the Ninth Review Conference established a Working Group. This group, open to all States Parties, aims to identify, examine, and develop specific and effective measures, including potential legally binding ones. The objective is to make recommendations that strengthen and institutionalize the Convention comprehensively. These recommendations will be submitted to States Parties for consideration and further action.

Mr. Chair,

My delegation emphasizes that, until consensus is reached on such an instrument for balanced and non-discriminatory implementation of all Convention provisions, the Review Conference remains the sole authority to ensure fulfillment of the Preamble's purposes and the Convention's provisions.

Until a comprehensive legally binding protocol is concluded, caution is needed not to substitute the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) with an organization having a comprehensive mandate. 

The absence of a comprehensive and legally binding instrument to address erroneous policies in the Convention's implementation has led to unilateral approaches taking precedence over multilateral efforts. Specific parochial and discriminatory export control regimes have been extended, becoming tools of illegitimate unilateral coercive measures against member states—a clear violation of the Convention's spirit and letter. We strongly advocate that any BWC mechanism should address such violations.

Due to interest conflicts in the Security Council, finalizing a decision, even in the best circumstances, is time-consuming. This delay not only impedes investigations to verify violations but also creates a gap in providing prompt and effective assistance under Article VII. Therefore, developing a detailed procedure or guideline for facilitating prompt humanitarian assistance, irrespective of Security Council decisions, needs prioritization.

The Ninth Review Conference decided to establish a mechanism open to all member states, facilitating and supporting the full implementation of international cooperation and assistance under Article X. To this end, my country submitted a comprehensive working paper for a Cooperation Committee. The aim is to promote effective, full, and non-discriminatory implementation of Article X provisions. We advocate that international cooperation should facilitate the fullest exchange of equipment, materials, and scientific information for peaceful purposes. Imposing restrictions, limitations, and unilateral coercive measures on transfers that hinder economic or technological development should be avoided.

Mr.  chair,

In conclusion, a successful outcome for the Working Group in strengthening the Convention depends on achieving a comprehensive and balanced legally binding instrument for regime building in the BWC.

Pending a comprehensive understanding of the entire picture, encompassing all elements within the working group's mandate for strengthening the Convention, my delegation believes that discussions focusing solely on specific elements would be very problematic.

Thank you!