Preventing and Countering Bioterrorism in the wake of COVID-19
Web-dialogue under the Umbrella of the Code of Conduct for Achieving a World Free of Terrorism
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) co-organized a web-dialogue on preventing and countering bioterrorism, convened by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, under the umbrella of the Code of Conduct to Achieve a World Free of Terrorism.
COVID-19 has revived the specter of bioterrorism and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned in April 2020 that “the weaknesses and lack of preparedness exposed by this pandemic provide a window onto how a bioterrorist attack might unfold.”
The General Assembly, in its recent resolution 75/291 for the seventh review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, recalled Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) and called upon all Member States to prevent the acquisition by terrorists of nuclear, chemical and biological materials and to support international efforts under the auspices of the United Nations to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
The web-dialogue brought together representatives from over 50 Member States with senior officials and experts from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh (UNITAD), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), other United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities and senior biosecurity experts from the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Participants exchanged their assessment, views and experiences with regard to the threat of bioterrorism and approaches to preparedness and mitigation, including the need for international cooperation and the role of the United Nations in this regard.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, stressed that the Code of Conduct for Achieving a World Free of Terrorism, initiated by Kazakhstan in September 2018, commits its coalition of 89 signatory countries to take holistic counter-terrorism measures and systematic preventive steps to end terrorism in accordance with their obligations under international law, including to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General and Head of UNOCT, stressed the need for a more networked, multilateral action in the spirit of the United Nations Charter: “It is clear that bioterrorism is a global issue. One of the most important lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is that global issues need global solutions.” He stressed the importance of identifying and discussing experiences, good practices, challenges and opportunities to address this threat in a manner fully consistent with human rights, and the rule of law.
He also recalled that through its Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact led by UNOCT the United Nations system supports Member States in their efforts to implement the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) runs a global programme to provide capacity-building and technical assistance to requesting Member States to prevent and respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism. In 2021, UNCCT launched 20 capacity-building training courses to increase the capabilities of Member States in targeted CBRN areas.
In his report on Our Common Agenda (A/75/982), Secretary-General Guterres identified terrorism as a strategic risk and recommended to ensure continued cooperation to prevent and counter terrorism, as part of a New Agenda for Peace. He also emphasized the need for preparedness to safeguard the future, including in the event of “a high-consequence biological attack.”
