đź—Ł The CD becomes a place where positions are stress-tested, language is carefully calibrated, and constraints and red lines are signalled (sometimes before they are visible elsewhere) đź’¬
Interested to see how evolves...
How do you see the role of Geneva-based fora in today’s security landscape?
⏳️ At a time when direct leader-to-leader channels and engagement are becoming more limited, highly structured diplomatic spaces like the CD can offer insights into what may be becoming politically feasible, what appears to be hardening, and what may be under quiet preparation.
Today the Conference on Disarmament (CD) opens its session in Geneva 🌍
🇺🇳 As a UN official working on the Biological Weapons Convention, I came today to follow the discussions and listen to how delegations frame their positions in the current international context.
With United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research @unidir.org, we are launching a series of technical briefs & webinars on emerging technologies & the #1972BWC
Register now for the 1 st webinar on efforts to address #dualuse challenges of #Al-Driven BioDesign tools.
bit.ly/4oLxlso
đź“… Deadline: 15 September 2025 at 18:00 UTC
đź”— Learn more and apply: globalyoungacademy.net/call-for-new...
If you’re looking to be part of a global network of researchers working together for a better future — this is your sign.
#GlobalYoungAcademy #ScienceDiplomacy #SciencePolicy #STI
By joining, you become part of an active working academy that drives international, interdisciplinary, and inclusive initiatives — whether it’s science advice, education, sustainability, or open science.
Through GYA, I found a space where science meets policy, where interdisciplinary ideas thrive, and where meaningful friendships are formed across continents.
🌍✨ Being part of the @globalyacademy.bsky.social was one of the most transformative experiences in my career. As someone passionate about science diplomacy, it gave me a global platform to collaborate with changemakers who are just as committed to using science to improve the world.
🎬 How can #science help strengthen the #BWC in today’s complex #biosecurity landscape? Hear from experts on the role of scientific expertise and cooperation in supporting the Convention’s work: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP3O...
📢 Out now: new set of discussion papers exploring how
#science can inform and strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention #BWC. They outline ways to support scientific review, cooperation and compliance: council.science/publications/strengthening-the-biological-weapons-convention/
❓️Who are the women in diplomacy who have inspired you?
🙏Special thanks to Veerle Moyson, Daling Wei & United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) at Vienna for the great video!
Their example continues to inspire many of us working in disarmament and diplomacy, especially those striving to build a more equitable, secure future.
📢 To all the women in this field...your presence matters. Your voice matters. And your impact is already transforming diplomacy for the better.
đź’ˇI'd like to recognize Amb Elayne Whyte, whose leadership & determination were instrumental in the negotiation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Also former USG Angela Kane for her role overseeing the international mission that led to the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.
🌍 Today we celebrate Women in Diplomacy, those who navigate complex negotiations, bring empathy into high-stakes rooms, and reshape what leadership looks like in international affairs.
- “BWC at 50: Taking Bold Steps to Secure the Future” (17 Apr) đź”— lnkd.in/edXq6zKu Â
- “Two golden anniversaries in the biological sciences” (14 May) đź”— lnkd.in/es6CfpcN Â
- “Marking 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention” (26 Mar) 🔗 lnkd.in/eT6hDQzd
đź‘€ 2025 must-reads Â
- “50-year-old bioweapons treaty is dangerously flawed, researchers say” (3 Apr) đź”— lnkd.in/eMCnh9w6 Â
- “Safeguarding against biological weapons” (22 May) đź”— lnkd.in/e-DDNSeH Â
- “The Next 50 Years: Strengthening the BWC Explained” (26 Mar) 🔗 lnkd.in/e4aCtakE
đź“ŁÂ Editors & journalists Â
Covering bio-security, AI, or global governance? Message me for suggestions on experts, data, and on up-to-date insights from Geneva.
🧠What’s (not) in the headlines Â
Specialised outlets have covered #BWC50, but the usual front-page giants haven’t run a dedicated anniversary story. With global consequences and little public scrutiny, this is the kind of high-stakes story the world needs to hear.
• Biological weapons are classified as weapons of mass destruction and stand among the most serious existential threats to global security.
Why this matters?Â
• Biology and AI are converging faster than global rules can keep up. Â
• The current *BWC Intersessional Working Group* is a once-in-a-five year window to modernise the BWC. Â
• Without outside scrutiny, that window could quietly close.
🧬A crossroads we can’t afford to miss: In 2025, the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)'ll turn 50 years & every one of the BWC’s 189 States Parties will decide whether to give the treaty its first real upgrade & make it future-proof. Yet outside our disarmament bubble, the world is barely watching.
Early morning in Geneva following one of the side events during the World Health Assembly. A pleasure to hear such a prepared panel including our own Daniel Feakes.
Special thanks to the Pandemic Action Network and the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response.
La conversaciĂłn con Sonia Fernandez fue enriquecedora y espero que el contenido les sea interesante y util!
El Centro Regional de las Naciones Unidas para la Paz, el Desarme y el Desarrollo en América Latina y el Caribe, ha decidido incorporar el formato video a su podcast para llegar a una audiencia más amplia y aumentar el impacto de sus mensajes sobre desarme, control de armas y no proliferación.
🎙️ ¡El podcast Mujeres Fuerzas de Cambio de UNLIREC ahora tiene video! 🎥
Fue un honor ser la entrevistada en esta ocasiĂłn, donde hablamos sobre temas cruciales relacionados con mi trabajo en la BWC de UNODA.
đź”— Mira el video completo aquĂ: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWSD...
🎧✨ #UNODA #1972BWC
✍ Organized by United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs & United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
@unidir.org @UNODA
📢When and where: Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:15–14:50 CET, Room XXVI, Palais des Nations, Geneva.
We welcome representatives from Member State delegations, as well as members of the multistakeholder community, including industry, civil society, academia and intergovernmental organizations!
đź‘Ą Speakers:
• Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Director WHO
• Dr Robin Geiß, Director, UNIDIR
• Ms. Nur Sulyna Abdullah, Chief of Strategic Planning and Membership, International Telecommunication Union
•Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme
• Moderator: Melanie Regimbal
