Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshiki Mine

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Head of the Delegation of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

2005 Meeting of Experts

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

Geneva

13 June 2005

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to congratulate you, Ambassador Freeman, on your assumption of the Chairmanship of this Meeting of Experts, and assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation. I would also like to thank you and the Secretariat for your diligent efforts to prepare the program of work and relevant background documents.

Mr. Chairman,

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the entry into force of the BWC as well as the 80^th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Protocol Prohibiting the Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons. Japan supports the Joint Statement issued last March by the three depository Governments of the BWC – Russia, the UK and the U.S. – and reaffirms its determination to work towards the full implementation and universalization of the BWC and the continuation of the work program to strengthen the BWC. Japan encourages all States Parties to take necessary national measures to implement the Convention and also calls upon all States Not Party to the BWC to join promptly.

Mr. Chairman,

In order to further strengthen the BWC, it is necessary to build upon the common understandings developed among States Parties as a result of the active exchanges of views at the 2003 and 2004 Experts’ Meetings, as well as the ensuing effective measures promoted in subsequent Meetings of States Parties. This year’s topic, “Codes of conduct for scientists,” is important in order to raise a sense of responsibility among scientists, increase public awareness, encourage debates over how to balance scientific and technological development and security concerns, and increase the transparency and quality of existing codes of conduct through information sharing. Bringing together experts from various fields to exchange diverse points of view is an important means of achieving these aims. On the other hand, we should bear in mind the variety of existing rules and regulations among countries and organizations relating to the “codes of conduct for scientists.”

Japan considers this Meeting of Experts an excellent opportunity for participants to increase their knowledge on relevant topics and to exchange new and diverse ideas, keeping in mind the importance of the BWC context of our deliberations. Japan will submit a working paper summarizing relevant domestic discussions, and our experts will make presentations in order to stimulate constructive debate during the Meeting. We also look forward to hearing from other countries on their efforts and ideas.

Mr. Chairman,

In order to demonstrate to the international community the steady progress and concrete achievements being made in implementing the BWC, it is essential to successfully carry out the current strengthening process based on the three-year work program. Moreover, Japan hopes that next year’s Sixth Review Conference will provide an opportunity to adopt further measures for strengthening the BWC against the backdrop of recent scientific and technological developments.

Thank you very much.