DYB2011-Part-II-web

United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2011: Part II
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that had no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes
were unequivocally covered by the Convention. The Conference noted the
importance of staying abreast of all scientific and technological developments
in the life sciences and in other fields of science relevant to the Convention
and therefore decided to include in the 2012-2015 intersessional programme
a standing agenda item on review of developments in the field of science and
technology related to the Convention.
States parties reaffirmed their commitment to take the necessary national
measures to prohibit and prevent the development, production, stockpiling,
acquisition or retention of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means
of delivery specified in the Convention. States parties also reaffirmed that the
enactment and implementation of necessary national measures, in accordance
with their constitutional processes, would strengthen the effectiveness of
the Convention. In this regard, the Conference encouraged States parties to
undertake collective action during the next intersessional process and for
those States parties in a position to do so to provide assistance, upon request,
to other States parties.
The Conference emphasized the importance of the exchange of
information among States parties through the CBMs and welcomed the
exchange of information carried out under these measures. The Conference
recognized the urgent need to increase the number of States parties
participating in CBMs and called upon all States parties to participate
annually.
The Conference stressed the importance of the implementation of article
X of the Convention and recalled that States parties had a legal obligation to
facilitate, and had the right to participate in, the fullest possible exchange of
equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the use
of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins for peaceful purposes and not
to hamper the economic and technological development of States parties.
The Conference noted with satisfaction that 10 States28 had acceded to
or ratified the Convention since the Sixth Review Conference in 2006. The
Conference further reiterated the high importance of universalization, in
particular by affirming the particular importance of the ratification of the
Convention by signatory States and accession to the BWC by those that
had not signed the Convention, without delay. States parties also agreed to
continue promoting the universalization of the Convention.
28 Burundi, Cook Islands, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Montenegro, Mozambique,
Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and Zambia.