Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshiki MINE

 

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Head of the Delegation of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

 

Meeting of the States Parties to

the Convention on the Prohibition of

the Development, Production and Stockpiling of

Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons

and on Their Destruction

 

6 December 2004, Geneva

 

Introduction

 

At the outset, I would like to extend to you, Mr. Goosen, my warm congratulations on your assumption of the Chairmanship of this Meeting of the States Parties to the BWC. I assure you of my delegation’s unwavering support as you guide us to a fruitful conclusion. I would also like to thank the Secretariat and all those who have put great time and effort into preparing this Meeting.

 

Universality

 

The Government of Japan places high importance on the universalisation and promotion of national implementation of treaties which counter the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), including the BWC. From this viewpoint, Japan welcomes the accession of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan to the BWC. Japan also extends its appreciation to non-States Parties participating as signatories or observers, and calls upon all non-member states to join the Treaty with a view to achieving its universality.

 

Importance of the BWC

 

There is a pressing need for the international community to address the issue of non-proliferation of WMD in order to ensure peace and security for all. In light of the growing threat of bio-terrorism, not to mention the devastating effects of WMD, the further strengthening of the BWC, as the only international framework to comprehensively ban biological weapons, has never been so important. Japan considers the strengthening of the Treaty essential.  The importance of the BWC has also been highlighted in Security Council Resolution 1540 and the G8 Action Plan on Nonproliferation.

 

Three-Year Programme of Work

 

Japan is strongly committed to strengthening the BWC based on the three-year programme of work. This programme of work focuses on practical measures to implement and strengthen the Treaty. It is essential that we engage in constructive discussion, attempt to reach common understandings on key issues and promote effective measures of implementation.

 

The Experts Group Meeting in July this year brought together experts from various countries and regions around the world to address the topics of “disease surveillance” and “preparedness and response,” and the Meeting proved to be an enriching and constructive forum for technical discussion and informal exchange. The huge amount of material provided during the Meeting showed that various measures are being taken on a national, regional and international level, and several common themes emerged which States Parties must address, despite differences in national legislation systems.

 

Japan places particular emphasis on the following four main elements:

 

  • Building up national capabilities
  • Establishing and strengthening medical and public health structure related to initial response
  • Strengthening collaboration among relevant organizations
  • Strengthening cooperation with relevant international organizations and among States Parties

 

The Sixth Review Conference

 

The outcome of this Meeting will constitute an important input for the Sixth Review Conference, to be convened in 2006 to “consider the work of these meetings and decide on any further action,” according to its mandate.  We will need to consider how to carry the new BWC process forward, including the issue of verification, as we prepare for the 2006 Review Conference.

 

Conclusion

 

Japan is committed to making a positive contribution to the BWC strengthening process and looks forward to meaningful discussion during the course of this Meeting. Japan encourages all States Parties to make every effort to promote the BWC process and to demonstrate to the international community the progress being made in its implementation.

 

Thank you.