PHL may host bioweapons conference in 2012

A regional Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) may be held in the Philippines later this year, to support the Philippines’ international cooperative efforts for dealing with biological weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

 

The convention would follow the Seventh Review Conference of the BWC held in Geneva last Dec. 4 to 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

 

“The United Nations and other participants expressed strong interest in convening a second regional BWC Conference in the Philippines later in 2012, and in supporting the Philippines’ efforts in Southeast Asia in synergizing implementation activities for the BWC and other Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Conventions,” the DFA said in a news release.

 

Earlier, the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva said the Philippines actively participated in the Seventh Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC RevCon).

 

The Philippine delegation to the RevCon included Ambassador Evan Garcia, Minister Jesus Domingo and Attache Hossana dela Cruz from the Philippine Mission; Defense and Armed Forces Attache of the Philippine Embassy in London Colonel Inoncencio Mayangao; and Department of Justice State Counsel Atty. Paulito De Jesus.

 

During the RevCon, the Philippines was elected as vice president, while Domingo was appointed as a facilitator to coordinate discussions on assistance and cooperation.

 

Also during the conference, the Philippines was commended for organizing the “BWC Conference Week” held in Makati City last June 27 to July 1, led by the DFA and the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) with participation from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) partner nations, the European Union (EU) and the UN.

 

The Mission had also organized a side event during the RevCon for East Asia and Pacific Delegations. — TJD, GMA News