The 2017 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) State Parties Meeting was held at the Palais des Nations at the United Nations Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, from Dec 4 to 8.

Participants from 114 state organizations of 69 countries, nine international institutions including the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and 12 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) shared their insights. The BWC is the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, and plays a critical role in international efforts to address the threat posed by biological weapons.

Participants from 114 state organizations attended the five-day meeting of the BWC State Parties 2017. [Photo provided to exploringtianjin.com]

With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Center for Bio-safety Research and Strategy of Tianjin University submitted a formal application for registration as an NGO in November. It obtained approval from the Compliance Support Agency of the BWC and was invited to attend the conference.

As one of the 12 NGOs gathered at the meeting, the center made an official statement on Dec 5, introducing its mission, research directions and contents to attendees from various countries and organizations.

Also, it contributed to a code of conduct for Bio-security. The draft "Model Code of Conduct for Bio-scientists" was written by the Center; to address the challenges brought by the rapid development of bioscience and technology it aims at enhancing bio-security awareness of research personnel and preventing the misuse and misapplication of bio-science and technology. The initiative proposed by China was successfully adopted as an agenda item of the BWC Expert Meeting and formally included in the work plan for future conferences.

Zhang Weiwen, dean of The Center for Bio-safety Research and Strategy of Tianjin University, gives a speech at the meeting. [Photo provided to exploringtianjin.com]

The Center for Bio-safety Research and Strategy of Tianjin University, established in 2016, is the first non-governmental think tank in China to conduct bio-safety related strategy and policy research. Its members include well-known experts in biology, law, computer science, and sociology fields.

The center has maintained communication with academic researchers, think tanks, governments, and international organizations since its establishment. As China's first NGO participating in the BWC, it attracted a great deal of attention, and several NGOs expressed their willingness to cooperate with it.

The Center will also take this opportunity to participate more actively in meetings of the WBC and enhance cooperation with NGOs around the world.