Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)

The BTWC entered into force in 1975 and provides for a ban of the development, the production, and the storage of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons, and also includes provisions for their destruction.

The BTWC was the first international disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons. At present, the BTWC has 165 signatory states. The question of the verification of compliance with the provisions of the BTWC is still unanswered.

The next BTWC Review Conference is scheduled to take place in 2011 (Review Conferences take place every 5 years). Meanwhile, the intersessional process will continue in the form of annual meeting of states parties and expert meetings.