Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)

History and Present Status

The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) was negotiated in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. It was opened for signature on 10 April 1972 and entered into force on 26 March 1975.

Proliferation in the area of biological and toxin warfare continues to be seen as a security problem. South Africa has been a State Party of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, reduction and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC) since 1975.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS

South African Medical Services (SAMS)
Office of the Surgeon-General
Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Council (NPC)

RELEVANT TREATIES/PROTOCOLS

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

GENERAL COMMENTS

South Africa successfully argued at the 1994 Special Conference of States Party to the Convention that the concept of "alleged use" should be included in the mandate of the Ad Hoc Group, which is currently considering a possible verification protocol for the BTWC.

Since 1991, South African experts have actively participated in the so-called VEREX meetings of the BTWC in Geneva, which had the task of identifying possible verification measures for the Convention. South Africa has been an active participant in the work of the "Ad Hoc Group of the States Parties to the BTWC" since the negotiations for a BTWC verification regime were mandated by the 1994 Conference of States Parties.

The work which is being done by the Ad Hoc Group and the level of South Africa's participation have established South Africa as one of the primary participating States in these negotiations. South African working papers, prepared by a sub-committee of the Non-Proliferation Council, the Biological Weapons Working Committee (BWWC) and submitted to the Ad Hoc Group have made a substantial contribution to the discussions on what a future BTWC protocol should look like. South Africa serves as the Friend of the Chair on Investigations at the Ad Hoc Group.

South Africa, on a voluntary basis participates in the exchange of information and data agreed to in the Final Declaration of the Third Review Conference, and in terms of UNGA resolution 46/35A and provides such information and data in conformity with the standardized procedure to the UN Secretary-General on an annual basis before 15 April of each year.

The South African Government has since May 1994, committed itself to a policy of non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control which covers all weapons of mass destruction and extends to concerns relating to the proliferation of conventional weapons. This policy forms an integral part of its commitment to democracy, human rights, sustainable development, social justice and environmental protection.