Process to Strengthen the BTWC

Current Status

The Ad Hoc Group held its most recent session (the 24th session) from 23 July to 17 August 2001, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Tibor Tóth of Hungary. Ambassador Leslie Luck of Australia and Ambassador Juan Enrique Vega Patri of Chile served as Vice-Chairmen of the Group. Mr. Vladimir Bogomolov, Political Affairs Officer, Department for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations, served as Secretary of the Group.

In July 2001, one State Party indicated that it was unable to support the proposed Protocol and subsequently the States Parties have been considering how to progress further.

Ad Hoc Group meetings are held in Geneva.

In early 2001, the situation was that given continued political will, completion of the Protocol in the near future was entirely achievable. This would have enabled a Special Conference of States Parties to adopt the work of the Protocol to be held prior to the Fifth Review Conference of the BTWC, commenced its meetings in Geneva from 23 November to 7 December 2001. This would have been in accordance with the agreement of States Parties at the Fourth Review Conference in 1996, which called for the completion of the work of the AHG "as soon as possible before the commencement of the Fifth Review Conference." As noted above, the States Parties are currently considering how to move forward on the strengthening of the BTWC regime.