LAUNCH OF THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT UNIT

As decided by the Sixth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (December 2006) an Implementation Support Unit has been established to assist States Parties in their efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Convention and reduce the threat posed by biological weapons. This small Unit is based in the Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

A ceremony to launch this initiative will be held on Monday, 20 August from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. in the Palais des Nations in Geneva at the Bar Escargot, 3rd floor, E Building. Taking part in this ceremony will be Ambassador Masood Khan (Pakistan), Chairperson of this year’s meetings of the Biological Weapons Convention, the recently nominated UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Sergio Duarte, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, and a group of experts on biological weapons who will meet in Geneva from 20 to 24 August. Journalists are welcome.

Prior to the ceremony, Ambassador Masood Khan will give a press briefing on Monday, 20 August at 2.30 p.m. in Press Room 1 at the Palais des Nations at which Mr. Khan will respond to questions from journalists.



For further information: Richard Lennane (in Geneva), Tel: +41 (0)22 917 22 30, or Francois Coutu (in New York), Tel: 1-212-963-2874, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.