THE AFRICAN UNION WMD DISARMAMENT AND NON- PROLIFERATION FRAMEWORK AFRICA REGIONAL WORKSHOP IN PREPARATION FOR THE EIGHTH REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE BWC 13-14 SEPTEMBER 2016, ADDIS ABABA
Outline Policy frameworks Overview of AU projects and activities Strategic objectives of AU engagement on WMD issues Participation of AU Member States in the preparatory process of RevCon 8 Way forward
The Common African Defense and Security Policy Adopted by the 2 nd Extraordinary Session, February 2004; Provides the framework for a comprehensive, collective security approach; Recognizes terrorism, ToC, and WMD proliferation as threats to continental security; Promotes the implementation of the regional and international regimes; 3
Pelindaba Treaty CTBT CWC TOC CADSP Counter- Terroris m BWC UNSCR 1540
Strategic Objectives of AU Engagement on WMD Issues First: Chemical, Biological and Nuclear weapons are a threat to global security and their use constitutes an existential as well as a moral threat to the international community. The AU therefore believes that full compliance with the international regimes is critical for their authority, effectiveness and the confidence-building measures and reliable non-proliferation assurances they are meant to provide. 5
Strategic Objectives of AU Engagement on WMD Issues Second: The risk of WMD proliferation to non-state actors, including criminal and terrorist groups, is a concern for the AU and the wider international community. The AU therefore works within the framework of WMD regimes and UNSCR 1540 to provide the necessary support and expertise to Member States in ensuring that they implement legislative, export controls, law enforcement and other control measures to ensure that their territories are not exploited for proliferation and illicit trafficking purposes. 6
Strategic Objectives of AU Engagement on WMD Issues Third: Enhance the continent s access to, and benefit from, chemical, biological and nuclear related sciences and technologies to contribute to socio-economic development, including in the areas of health and disease control, agriculture, industry and energy. Member States commitment to their obligations will foster confidence building and enable them cooperate with international partners to acquire technologies for peaceful applications. 7
Promoting Universality Instruments: African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2005) 8
Promoting Universality Collaborating with international regime-bodies (AFCONE, CTBTO, OPCW, ISU-BWC, 1540 Committee). Sensitization workshops to raise awareness, engage policy makers and promote universality, and engaging policy makers through AU regional and country offices. Mobilization of assistance and facilitating consultations between Member States and assistance providers. Promoting development-oriented approaches to the implementation of the regimes, and design of projects to address gaps (Legislative assistance, training, export controls, etc). 9
Promoting Universality & Implementation of the BWC Commemoration of the 40 th anniversary: 26 March 2015 press release by the Chairperson calling for the universalization and effective implementation of the BWC in Africa. Universality workshop, 29-30 October 2015 (Addis Ababa): enhance understanding of the BWC and promote its universality; discuss obligations and assistance available; and engage indigenous expertise. Pre-workshop briefing, 11 August 2016 (Geneva): briefing on the workshop s objectives and contents. 10
Status of BWC Ratification in Africa States Parties (41) Algeria Eq. Guinea Mali South Africa Angola Ethiopia Mauritania Sudan Benin Gabon Mauritius Swaziland Botswana Gambia Mozambique Togo Burkina Faso Ghana Niger Tunisia Burundi Guinea-Bissau Nigeria Uganda Cameroon Kenya Rwanda Zambia Cape Verde Lesotho Sao Tome et Principe Zimbabwe Congo Libya Senegal Côte d'ivoire Madagascar Seychelles DRC Malawi Sierra Leone 11
Status of BWC Ratification in Africa Signatory States (5) CAR Liberia Tanzania Egypt Somalia Non-signatories (7) Chad Djibouti Guinea South Sudan Comoros Eritrea Namibia 12
Level of participation in the Preparatory Committee Geneva, 26-27 April and 8-12 August 2016* Algeria Ghana Mali Togo Angola Kenya Mauritius Tunisia Burkina Faso Libya Nigeria Uganda Cameroon Madagascar South Africa Zambia Côte d Ivoire Malawi Sudan Zimbabwe *144 States in total participated. Advance version of the report of the Preparatory Committee. Available on www.unog.ch 13
Working Papers Submitted by AU Member States to the Preparatory Committee Functional structures of the BWC (South Africa) Implementation of Article VII (South Africa) Future Planning for the Implementation Support Unit (South Africa) Implementation of National CBRN actions plans: Facilitating cooperation to strengthen capacities against bio-risks (Côte d Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, Montenegro, Philippines and Uganda) Providing reassurance on BWC implementation (Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Thailand) 14
Way Forward: BWC Universality & Effective Implementation Sensitization and promoting universality: Workshops, outreach and demarches through AU offices, etc). Training and capacity building to improve regional and national implementation (legislation, reporting, etc). Enhancing synergies with developmental goals and engaging regional agencies such as African Bio-Safety Association (AfBSA); African Bio-safety Network of Expertise (ABNE); Inter-African Bureau on Animal Resources (IBAR). 15
THANK YOU Dr. Tarek A. Sharif Head of the Defense and Security Division Peace and Security Department Email: SharifT@africa-union.org; SituationRoom@africa-union.org Tel: +251 11 551 3822 16