The 23rd Republic of Korea – United Nations Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues

Start Date: Nov 4 2024
End Date: Nov 5 2024
Organiser's Website: https://www.unrcpd.org/the-23rd-republic-of-korea-united-nations-joint-conference-strengthening-global-biosecurity-in-the-face-of-emerging-challenges/
Location: Seoul, ROK
Meeting Hosted By: Republic of Korea
Meeting Supported By: Republic of Korea

The 23rd Republic of Korea – United Nations Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues, held on November 4-5, 2024, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, brought together over 100 experts, policymakers, and young professionals to tackle the critical issue of biological security. The conference, themed “The Biological Weapons Convention at Fifty: Strengthening Global Biological Security in a Rapidly Evolving Technological Landscape,” was co-organized by the Government of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), alongside the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).

The event marked a pivotal moment for the Asia-Pacific region as it commemorates the upcoming 50th anniversary of the BWC. Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions and advances in biotechnology, the conference emphasized the urgency of fortifying global biosecurity frameworks to address both existing and emerging biological risks. It underscored the significance of international collaboration in ensuring that biological technologies contribute to global well-being while mitigating potential threats.