List of parties to the Biological Weapons Convention
|
Signed and ratified
Acceded or succeeded
Unrecognized state, abiding by treaty
|
Only signed
Non-signatory
|
The list of parties to the Biological Weapons Convention encompasses the states who have signed and ratified or acceded to the international agreement outlawing biological weapons.
On 10 April 1972, the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), also known as the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) was opened for signature. The Netherlands became the first state to deposit their signature of the treaty that same day. The treaty closed for signature upon coming into force on 26 March 1975 with the deposit of ratification by 22 states. Since then, states that did not sign the treaty can only accede to it.
A total of 196 states may become members of the Biological Weapons Convention, including all 193 United Nations member states, the Cook Islands, the Holy See, and Niue. To date, 174 states have ratified or acceded to the treaty, most recently Cote d'Ivoire in March 2016.[1] As well, the Republic of China (Taiwan), which is currently only recognized by 21 UN member states, deposited their instruments of ratification of the BWC with the United States government prior to the US's decision to switch their recognition of the sole legitimate government of China from the Republic of China (ROC) to the People's Republic of China (PRC). A further 8 states have signed but not ratified the treaty.
Several countries made reservations when ratifying the agreement declaring that it did not imply their complete satisfaction that the Treaty allows the stockpiling of biological agents and toxins for "prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes", nor should it imply recognition of other countries they do not recognise.
Ratified or acceded states
According to a Report to the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, 174 states have ratified the BWC.[2] However, the status of the succession of two of these states to the BWC, Dominica and Vanuatu, are unclear, with conflicting information in sources. For further details, see the Succession of colonies to the BWC section below.
Multiple dates indicate the different days in which states submitted their signature or deposition, varied by location. This location is noted by: (L) for London, (M) for Moscow, and (W) for Washington D.C.
| State[3][4][5][6] | Signed | Deposited | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Mar 26, 1975 (L) | Ratification |
 Albania |
Jun 3, 1992 (W) Aug 11, 1992 (L) Mar 26, 1993 (M) |
Accession | |
 Algeria |
Sep 28, 2001 (W) | Accession | |
 Andorra |
Mar 2, 2015 (W) | Accession | |
 Antigua and Barbuda |
Jan 29, 2003 (L) | Accession | |
 Argentina |
Aug 1, 1972 (M) Aug 3, 1972 (L) Aug 7, 1972 (W) |
Nov 27, 1979 (W) Dec 5, 1979 (L) Dec 27, 1979 (M) |
Ratification |
 Armenia |
Jun 7, 1994 (M, W) | Accession | |
 Australia |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Oct 5, 1977 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Austria |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Aug 10, 1973 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Azerbaijan |
Feb 26, 2004 (M, W) | Accession | |
 Bahamas |
Nov 26, 1986 (L) | Accession | |
 Bahrain |
Oct 28, 1988 (L) | Accession | |
 Bangladesh |
Mar 11, 1985 (M) Mar 12, 1985 (W) Mar 13, 1985 (L) |
Accession | |
 Barbados |
Feb 16, 1973 (W) | Feb 16, 1973 (W) | Ratification |
 Belarus |
Apr 10, 1972 (M) | Mar 26, 1975 (M) | Ratification as  Byelorussian SSR |
.svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Mar 15, 1979 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Belize |
Oct 20, 1986 (L) Nov 25, 1986 (W) Jan 13, 1987 (M) |
Succession from  United Kingdom | |
 Benin |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Apr 25, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 Bhutan |
Jun 8, 1978 (W) | Accession | |
 Bolivia |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Oct 30, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Aug 15, 1994 (W) | Succession from  SFR Yugoslavia | |
 Botswana |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Feb 5, 1992 (W) | Ratification |
 Brazil |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Feb 27, 1973 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Brunei |
Jan 31, 1991 (L) | Accession | |
 Bulgaria |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Aug 2, 1972 (L) Sep 13, 1972 (W) Sep 19, 1972 (M) |
Ratification |
 Burkina Faso |
Apr 17, 1991 (W) | Accession | |
 Burundi |
Apr 10, 1972 (M, W) | Oct 18, 2011 (L) | Ratification |
 Cabo Verde |
Oct 20, 1977 (M) | Accession | |
 Cambodia |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Mar 9, 1983 (W) | Ratification |
 Cameroon |
Jan 18, 2013 (W) | Accession | |
 Canada |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Sep 18, 1972 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Chile |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Apr 22, 1980 (L) | Ratification |
 China |
Nov 15, 1984 (L, M, W) | Accession | |
 Colombia |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Dec 19, 1983 (W) | Ratification |
 Republic of the Congo |
Oct 23, 1978 (W) | Accession | |
 Cook Islands |
Dec 4, 2008 (L) | Accession | |
 Costa Rica |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Dec 17, 1973 (W) | Ratification |
 Côte d'Ivoire |
May 23, 1972 (W) | March 23, 2016 (M) April 26, 2016 (L) |
Ratification |
 Croatia |
Apr 28, 1993 (W) | Succession from SFR Yugoslavia[lower-alpha 1] | |
 Cuba |
Apr 12, 1972 (M) | Apr 21, 1976 (M) | Ratification |
 Cyprus |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, W) Apr 14, 1972 (M) |
Nov 6, 1973 (L) Nov 13, 1973 (W) Nov 21, 1973 (M) |
Ratification |
 Czech Republic |
Jan 1, 1993 (M) Apr 5, 1993 (L) Sep 29, 1993 (W) |
Succession from Czechoslovakia Signed 10 April 1972 Deposited 30 April 1973 | |
 Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Apr 10, 1972 (M, W) | Sep 16, 1975 (L) Jan 28, 1977 (W) |
Ratification as  Zaire |
 Denmark |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Mar 1, 1973 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Dominica[lower-alpha 2] |
Nov 8, 1978 (L) | Accession | |
 Dominican Republic |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Feb 23, 1973 (W) | Ratification |
 Ecuador |
Jun 14, 1972 (W) | Mar 12, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 El Salvador |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Dec 31, 1991 (W) | Ratification |
 Equatorial Guinea |
Jan 16, 1989 (M) Jul 29, 1992 (W) |
Accession | |
 Estonia |
Jun 21, 1993 (W) Jul 1, 1993 (M) |
Accession | |
 Ethiopia |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | May 26, 1975 (L, M) Jun 26, 1975 (W) |
Ratification |
 Fiji |
Feb 22, 1973 (L) | Sep 4, 1973 (W) Oct 1, 1973 (L) Oct 5, 1973 (M) |
Ratification |
 Finland |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Feb 4, 1974 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 France |
Sep 27, 1984 (L, M, W) | Accession | |
 Gabon |
Apr 10, 1972 (L) | Aug 16, 2007 (W) | Ratification[lower-alpha 3] |
 Gambia |
Jun 2, 1972 (M) Aug 8, 1972 (L) Nov 9, 1972 (W) |
May 7, 1997 (L) Jun 10, 1997 (M) Aug 1, 1997 (W) |
Ratification |
 Georgia |
May 22, 1996 (L, M) | Accession | |
 Germany |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Apr 7, 1983 (L, W) | Ratification as West Germany Also ratified by  East Germany on 28 November 1972 prior to German reunification |
 Ghana |
Apr 10, 1972 (M, W) | Jun 6, 1975 (L) | Ratification |
 Greece |
Apr 10, 1972 (L) Apr 12, 1972 (W) Apr 14, 1972 (M) |
Dec 10, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 Grenada |
Oct 22, 1986 (L) | Accession | |
 Guatemala |
May 9, 1972 (W) | Sep 19, 1973 (W) | Ratification |
 Guinea-Bissau |
Aug 20, 1976 (M) | Accession | |
 Guyana |
Jan 3, 1973 (W) | Mar 26, 2013 (W) | Ratification |
 Holy See |
Jan 7, 2002 (W) | Accession | |
 Honduras |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Mar 14, 1979 (W) | Ratification |
 Hungary |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Dec 27, 1972 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Iceland |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Feb 15, 1973 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 India |
Jan 15, 1973 (L, M, W) | Jul 15, 1974 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Indonesia |
Jun 20, 1972 (M, W) Jun 21, 1972 (L) |
Feb 4, 1992 (M) Feb 19, 1992 (L) Apr 1, 1992 (W) |
Ratification |
 Iran |
Apr 10, 1972 (M, W) Nov 16, 1972 (L) |
Aug 22, 1973 (L, W) Aug 27, 1973 (M) |
Ratification |
 Iraq |
May 11, 1972 (M) | Jun 19, 1991 (M) | Ratification |
 Ireland |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, W) | Oct 27, 1972 (L, W) | Ratification |
 Italy |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | May 30, 1975 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Jamaica |
Aug 13, 1975 (L) | Accession | |
 Japan |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Jun 8, 1982 (W) Jun 18, 1982 (L, M) |
Ratification |
 Jordan |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) Apr 17, 1972 (L) Apr 24, 1972 (M) |
May 30, 1975 (M) Jun 2, 1975 (W) Jun 27, 1975 (L) |
Ratification |
 Kazakhstan |
May 31, 2007 (M) | Jun 15, 2007 (M) | Accession[lower-alpha 4] |
 Kenya |
Jan 7, 1976 (L) | Accession | |
 Kuwait |
Apr 14, 1972 (M, W) Apr 27, 1972 (L) |
Jul 18, 1972 (W) Jul 26, 1972 (L) Aug 1, 1972 (M) |
Ratification |
 Kyrgyzstan |
Oct 15, 2004 (M) | Accession | |
 Laos |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Mar 20, 1973 (M) Mar 22, 1973 (W) Apr 25, 1973 (L) |
Ratification |
 Latvia |
Feb 6, 1997 (L) | Accession | |
 Lebanon |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, W) Apr 21, 1972 (M) |
Mar 26, 1975 (L) Apr 2, 1975 (M) Jun 13, 1975 (W) |
Ratification |
 Lesotho |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Sep 6, 1977 (L) | Ratification |
 Libya |
Apr 10, 1972 (M) | Jan 19, 1982 (M) | Ratification |
 Liechtenstein |
May 30, 1991 (W) May 31, 1991 (M) Jun 6, 1991 (L) |
Accession | |
 Lithuania |
Feb 10, 1998 (L) | Accession | |
 Luxembourg |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M) Apr 12, 1972 (W) |
Mar 23, 1976 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Macedonia |
Dec 26, 1996 (M) Mar 14, 1997 (L) Apr 23, 1997 (W) |
Succession from SFR Yugoslavia[lower-alpha 5] | |
 Madagascar |
Oct 13, 1972 (L) | Mar 7, 2008 (M, W) | Ratification[lower-alpha 6] |
 Malawi |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Apr 2, 2013 (W) | Ratification |
 Malaysia |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Sep 6, 1991 (L, M) Sep 26, 1991 (W) |
Ratification |
 Maldives |
Aug 2, 1993 (M) | Accession | |
 Mali |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Nov 25, 2002 (W) | Ratification |
 Malta |
Sep 11, 1972 (L) | Apr 7, 1975 (L) | Ratification |
 Marshall Islands |
Nov 15, 2012 (W) | Accession | |
 Mauritania |
Jan 28, 2015 (L) | Accession | |
 Mauritius |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Aug 7, 1972 (W) Jan 11, 1973 (L) Jan 15, 1973 (M) |
Ratification |
 Mexico |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Apr 8, 1974 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Moldova |
Jan 28, 2005 (M, W) | Accession | |
 Monaco |
Apr 30, 1999 (L) | Accession | |
 Mongolia |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Sep 5, 1972 (W) Sep 14, 1972 (L) Oct 20, 1972 (M) |
Ratification |
 Montenegro |
Jun 3, 2006 (M) | Succession from  Serbia and Montenegro | |
 Morocco |
May 2, 1972 (L) May 3, 1972 (W) Jun 5, 1972 (M) |
Mar 21, 2002 (L) | Ratification |
 Mozambique |
Mar 29, 2011 (L) | Accession | |
 Myanmar |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Dec 1, 2014 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Nauru |
Mar 5, 2013 (W) | Accession | |
 Kingdom of the Netherlands |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Jun 22, 1981 (L, M, W) | Ratification, for the whole Kingdom |
 New Zealand |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Dec 13, 1972 (W) Dec 18, 1972 (L) Jan 10, 1973 (M) |
Ratification |
 Nicaragua |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, W) | Aug 7, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 Niger |
Apr 21, 1972 (W) | Jun 23, 1972 (W) | Ratification |
 Nigeria |
Jul 3, 1972 (M) Jul 10, 1972 (L) Dec 6, 1972 (W) |
Jul 3, 1973 (W) Jul 9, 1973 (L) Jul 20, 1973 (M) |
Ratification |
 North Korea |
Mar 13, 1987 (M) | Accession | |
 Norway |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Aug 1, 1973 (L, W) Aug 23, 1973 (M) |
Ratification |
 Oman |
Mar 31, 1992 (W) | Accession | |
 Pakistan |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Sep 25, 1974 (M) Oct 3, 1974 (L, W) |
Ratification |
 Palau |
Feb 20, 2003 (W) | Accession | |
 Panama |
May 2, 1972 (W) | Mar 20, 1974 (W) | Ratification |
 Papua New Guinea |
Oct 27, 1980 (L) Nov 13, 1980 (M) Mar 16, 1981 (W) |
Accession | |
 Paraguay |
Jun 9, 1976 (W) | Accession | |
 Peru |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Jun 5, 1985 (L, M) Jun 11, 1985 (W) |
Ratification |
 Philippines |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, W) Jun 21, 1972 (M) |
May 21, 1973 (W) | Ratification |
 Poland |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Jan 25, 1973 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Portugal |
Jun 29, 1972 (W) | May 15, 1975 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Qatar |
Nov 14, 1972 (L) | Apr 17, 1975 (L) | Ratification |
 Romania |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Jul 25, 1979 (W) Jul 26, 1979 (L) Jul 27, 1979 (M) |
Ratification |
 Russia |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Mar 26, 1975 (L, M, W) | Ratification as  Soviet Union |
 Rwanda |
Apr 10, 1972 (M, W) | May 20, 1975 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Saint Kitts and Nevis |
Apr 2, 1991 (L) | Accession | |
 Saint Lucia |
Nov 26, 1986 (L) | Succession from United Kingdom | |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
May 13, 1999 (L) | Succession from United Kingdom | |
 San Marino |
Sep 12, 1972 (W) Jan 30, 1973 (M) Mar 21, 1973 (L) |
Mar 11, 1975 (L) Mar 17, 1975 (W) Mar 27, 1975 (M) |
Ratification |
 Sao Tome and Principe |
Aug 24, 1979 (M) | Accession | |
 Saudi Arabia |
Apr 12, 1972 (W) | May 24, 1972 (W) | Ratification |
 Senegal |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Mar 26, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 Serbia |
Apr 27, 1992 (M) Jun 5, 2001 (W) Jun 13, 2001 (L) |
Succession from SFR Yugoslavia Signed 10 April 1972 Deposited 25 October 1973[16] Succession from Serbia and Montenegro[lower-alpha 7] | |
 Seychelles |
Oct 11, 1979 (L) Oct 16, 1979 (W) Oct 24, 1979 (M) |
Accession | |
 Sierra Leone |
Nov 7, 1972 (W) Nov 24, 1972 (L) |
Jun 29, 1976 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Singapore |
Jun 19, 1972 (L, M, W) | Dec 2, 1975 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Slovakia |
Jan 1, 1993 (M) May 17, 1993 (L) Jun 10, 1993 (W) |
Succession from Czechoslovakia Signed 10 April 1972 Deposited 30 April 1973 | |
 Slovenia |
Apr 7, 1992 (L, M) Aug 20, 1992 (W) |
Succession from SFR Yugoslavia | |
 Solomon Islands |
Jun 17, 1981 (L) | Succession from United Kingdom | |
 South Africa |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Nov 3, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 South Korea |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, W) | Jun 25, 1987 (L, W) | Ratification |
 Spain |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, W) | Jun 20, 1979 (L, W) | Ratification |
 Sri Lanka |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Nov 18, 1986 (L, M, W) | Ratification Signed as Ceylon |
 Sudan |
Oct 17, 2003 (L) Oct 20, 2003 (M) Nov 7, 2003 (W) |
Accession | |
 Suriname |
Jan 6, 1993 (L, M) Apr 9, 1993 (W) |
Accession | |
 Swaziland |
Jun 18, 1991 (L) | Accession | |
 Sweden |
Feb 27, 1974 (M) Feb 27, 1975 (L, W) |
Feb 5, 1976 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Switzerland |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | May 4, 1976 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Tajikistan |
Jun 27, 2005 (M) | Accession | |
 Thailand |
Jan 17, 1973 (W) | May 28, 1975 (W) | Ratification |
 Timor-Leste |
May 5, 2003 (W) | Accession | |
 Togo |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Nov 10, 1976 (W) | Ratification |
 Tonga |
Sep 28, 1976 (L) | Accession | |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
Jul 19, 2007 (L) | Accession | |
 Tunisia |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | May 18, 1973 (W) May 30, 1973 (M) Jun 6, 1973 (L) |
Ratification |
 Turkey |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Oct 25, 1974 (M) Nov 4, 1974 (L) Nov 5, 1974 (W) |
Ratification |
 Turkmenistan |
Jan 11, 1996 (M) Mar 8, 1996 (W) |
Accession | |
 Uganda |
May 12, 1992 (W) | Accession | |
 Ukraine |
Apr 10, 1972 (M) | Mar 26, 1975 (M) | Ratification as  Ukrainian SSR |
 United Arab Emirates |
Sep 28, 1972 (L) | Jun 19, 2008 (L) [18] | Ratification |
| United Kingdom |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Mar 26, 1975 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 United States |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Mar 26, 1975 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Uruguay |
Apr 6, 1981 (W) | Accession | |
 Uzbekistan |
Jan 26, 1996 (M) | Accession | |
 Vanuatu[lower-alpha 2] |
Oct 12, 1990 (L) | Accession | |
 Venezuela |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Oct 18, 1978 (L, M, W) | Ratification |
 Vietnam |
Apr 10, 1972 (M) | Jun 20, 1980 (M) | Ratification as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Signed by the  Democratic Republic of Vietnam and  Republic of Vietnam on 10 April 1972 prior to Vietnamese reunification[19] |
 Yemen |
Apr 26, 1972 (M) May 10, 1972 (L) |
Jun 1, 1979 (M) | Ratification as  South YemenAlso signed by  North Yemen on 10 April 1972 prior to Yemeni unification |
 Zambia |
Jan 15, 2008 (L) | Accession | |
 Zimbabwe |
Nov 5, 1990 (L) | Accession |
- Notes
- ↑ Croatia's effective date of succession was 8 October 1991.[7]
- 1 2 Although both Dominica and Vanuatu are listed as parties to the BWC in documents from the Meetings of the States Parties to the BWC,[2] their status is unclear. They are listed as parties to the treaty on the website of the United Nations Office at Geneva,[8] but not on the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs database,[3] nor on those of the depositaries.[4][5][6] See succession of colonies to the BWC below.
- ↑ The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs database lists Gabon as a signatory and as an acceding state.[9][10]
- ↑ The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs database lists Kazakhstan as a signatory and as an ratifying state, however the date of signature is after the treaty closed for signature in 1975.[11][12] Kazakhstan did not gain independent from the Soviet Union until 1991.
- ↑ Macedonia's effective date of succession was 17 November 1991.[13]
- ↑ The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs database lists Madagascar as a signatory and as an acceding state.[14][15]
- ↑ The FR Yugoslavia's (later Serbia and Montenegro) effective date of succession from the SFR Yugoslavia was 27 April 1992, while Serbia's effective date of succession from Serbia and Montenegro was 3 June 2006.[17]
State with limited recognition, abiding by treaty
The Republic of China (Taiwan), which is currently only recognized by 21 UN member states, deposited their instruments of ratification of the BWC with the United States government prior to the US's decision to switch their recognition of the sole legitimate government of China from the Republic of China (ROC) to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1971. When the PRC subsequently ratified the treaty, they described the ROC's ratification as "illegal". The ROC has committed itself to continue to adhere to the requirements of the treaty, and the United States has declared that they still consider them to be "bound by its obligations".[20]
| State | Signed | Deposited | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
 Republic of China |
10 April 1972 | 9 February 1973 | Ratification |
States that have signed but not ratified
The following 8 states have signed, but not ratified the BWC.[2]
| State | Signed | Ratification status[lower-alpha 1][2] |
|---|---|---|
 Central African Republic |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Egypt |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M) | No action expected in near future |
 Haiti |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) | Process started |
 Liberia |
Apr 10, 1972 (W) Apr 14, 1972 (L) |
Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Nepal |
Apr 10, 1972 (L, M, W) | Process well advanced[lower-alpha 2] |
 Somalia |
Jul 3, 1972 (M) | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Syria |
Apr 14, 1972 (M) | No action expected in near future |
 Tanzania |
Aug 16, 1972 (L) | Process started[lower-alpha 3] |
- Notes
- ↑ As per the advanced version of the 2015 Report of the Chairman on Universalization Activities to the 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.
- ↑ Approved by Cabinet of Nepal in January 2016.[21]
- ↑ As of 2010 the government of Tanzania was considering ratifying the treaty.[22][23]
Non-signatory states
The following 14 UN member states have neither signed nor ratified the BWC.[2]
| State | Ratification status[lower-alpha 1][2] |
|---|---|
 Angola | Process well advanced[lower-alpha 2] |
 Chad | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Comoros | Process well advanced[lower-alpha 3] |
 Djibouti | Process started |
 Eritrea | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Guinea | Process started[lower-alpha 4] |
 Israel | No action expected in near future |
 Kiribati[lower-alpha 5] | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Micronesia | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Namibia | Process started |
 Niue | No information |
 Samoa | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 South Sudan | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
 Tuvalu[lower-alpha 5] | Waiting for further information, assistance, or have other priorities |
- Notes
- ↑ As per the advanced version of the 2015 Report of the Chairman on Universalization Activities to the 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.
- ↑ Angola's parliament approved ratifying the BWC in April 2015.[24][25]
- ↑ In 2007, the Chairman of the Meeting of the States Parties to the BWC reported that ratification of the BWC had been approved by the government of Comoros pending signature by the President.[26]
- ↑ The Chairman of the Meeting of the States Parties to the BWC reported that Guinea had submitted an instrument of accession in 2011 that the depositaries deemed to be not sufficient to become a party to the treaty.[27]
- 1 2 Neither Kiribati or Tuvalu are listed as parties to the BWC in documents from the Meetings of the States Parties to the BWC,[2] but their status is unclear. See succession of colonies to the BWC below.
In addition, the UN observer State of Palestine has neither signed nor acceded to the convention.
Succession of colonies to the BWC
The status of several former dependent territories of a state party to the BWC, whose administrating power ratified the Convention on their behalf, with regards to the Convention following their independence is currently unclear. According to the Vienna Convention on Succession of States in respect of Treaties (to which 22 states are party), "newly independent states" (a euphemism for former colonies) receive a "clean slate", such that the new state does not inherit the treaty obligations of the colonial power, but that they may join multilateral treaties to which their former colonizers were a party without the consent of the other parties in most circumstances. Conversely, in "cases of separation of parts of a state" (a euphemism for all other new states), the new state remains bound by the treaty obligations of the state from which they separated. To date, this Convention has only been ratified by 22 states.
The United Kingdom attached a territorial declaration to their instrument of ratification of the BWC in 1975 stating in part that it applied to:[28]
"... in respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dominica and Territories under the territorial sovereignty of the United Kingdom, as well as the State of Brunei, the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and, within the limits of the United Kingdom jurisdiction therein, the Condominium of New Hebrides [subsequently renamed Vanuatu]."
This declaration bound the territories of Dominica, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to the terms of the Convention.[29] Following their independence, none of these states have made unambiguous declarations of succession to the BWC.[29]
Dominica
After becoming independent in 1978, the Prime Minister of Dominica sent a note to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG) stating that:[29]
“The Government of Dominica declares that, with regard to multilateral treaties applied or extended to the former British Associated State of Dominica, it will continue to apply such terms of each treaty provisionally and on the basis of reciprocity until such time as it notifies the depositary authority of its decision in respect thereof.”
Since then, the UK Treaty Office (as depositary) has not received an instrument of accession from Dominica, and the Government of Dominica does not consider itself bound by the Convention.[29] However, Dominica is listed as a state party to the BWC in documents from the Meetings of the States Parties to the BWC.[2]
Kiribati
In 1979, Kiribati gained their independence and subsequently the President of Kiribati sent a note to the UNSG stating that:[29]
... the Government of the Republic of Kiribati declares that, with regard to multilateral treaties applied or extended to the former Gilbert Islands it will continue to apply the terms of each such treaty provisionally and on the basis of reciprocity until such time as it notifies the depositary authority of its decision with respect thereto.”
Since then, none of the depositaries for the BWC have received an instrument of accession or succession to the Convention from Kiribati.[3] However, the Government of Kiribati has made statements suggesting that it does not consider itself a party to the treaty.[29]
Tuvalu
Following independence in 1978, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu sent a note to the UNSC stating that:[29]
"The Government of Tuvalu desires that it should be presumed that each treaty purporting or deemed to bind Tuvalu before Independence has been legally succeeded to by Tuvalu and that action should be based on such presumption unless and until the Government of Tuvalu decides that any particular treaty should be treated as having lapsed."
Since then, none of the depositaries for the BWC have received an instrument of accession or succession to the Convention from Tuvalu.[3] However, the Government of Tuvalu has made statements suggesting that it does not consider itself a party to the treaty.[29]
Vanuatu
In 1980, the territory gained their independence. Vanuatu is listed as a state party to the BWC in documents from the Meetings of the States Parties to the BWC,[2] however the UK depositary has not received an instrument of succession to the BWC from Vanuatu.[29] As well, the Government of Vanuatu has made statements suggesting that it does not consider itself a party to the treaty.[29]
References
- ↑ "Latest Information". United Nations Office at Geneva. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Report on universalization activities" (PDF). 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. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
- 1 2 3 4 "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- 1 2 "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
"Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Retrieved 2013-07-23. - 1 2 "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction" (PDF). United States Department of State. 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
- 1 2 Конвенция о запрещении разработки, производства и накопления запасов бактериологического (биологического) и токсинного оружия и об их уничтожении (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. 2013-04-17. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
- ↑ "Croatia: Succession to Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Membership of the Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office at Geneva. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Gabon: Signature of Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Gabon: Accession to Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Kazakhstan: Signature of Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Kazakhstan: Ratification of Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Succession to Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Madagascar: Signature of Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Madagascar: Accession to Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Serbia: Succession to Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Serbia: Succession to Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "UAE ratifies BWC". United Nations Office at Geneva. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ↑ "Viet Nam: Signature of Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "China: Accession to Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
- ↑ "Relief amount for quake-hit in 10 days". The Himalayan Times. 2016-01-02. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
- ↑ "Report of the Chairman on universalization activities" (PDF). 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. 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
- ↑ "Status of universalization of the Convention" (PDF). 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. 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
- ↑ "Parliament passes laws, as opposition walks out". ANGOP. 2015-04-21. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
- ↑ "DEPUTADOS REUNIRAM EM PLENÁRIO". National Assembly of Angola. 2015-04-21. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
- ↑ "Report of the Chairman on universalization activities" (PDF). 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. 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
- ↑ "Status of universalization of the Convention" (PDF). Seventh Review Conference 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. 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
- ↑ "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Ratification of Biological Weapons Convention". United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Building a Global Ban: Why States Have Not Joined the BWC" (PDF). BioWeapons Prevention Project. April 2009. Retrieved 2013-07-26.