The Implementation Support Unit (ISU) for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in collaboration with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda – National Contact Points for the Biological Weapons Convention, organised a National Workshop on the Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The workshop was held over the period 26th – 27th August, 2026 at the Trade Winds Hotel, Dickenson Bay, St. John’s.
The Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Immigration, delivered opening remarks at the workshop, highlighting how effective implementation of the BWC touches every aspect of national life. According to Minister Greene, “It supports outbreak readiness – by improving coordination among our agencies, we can detect, investigate and contain outbreaks more quickly, whether they are natural, accidental or deliberate.” He further stated that effective implementation “protects our agriculture and food security” and “it safeguards our tourism and livelihoods”.
Minister Greene also emphasised that “as a small island developing state, multilateral engagement amplifies our voice and provides the mechanisms we need to cooperate effectively, and the workshop itself is a product of that international spirit”.
Also delivering opening remarks was Dr. Alex Lampalzer, Deputy Chief of BWC-ISU, who underscored that rapid advances in science and technology are reshaping the biological landscape.
He added that “these advances bring opportunities for human health, for agriculture, for fisheries, but also pose serious biosecurity challenges because of the dual-use potential.”
The workshop aimed to raise awareness of the Biological Weapons Convention in Antigua and Barbuda and support its improved implementation at the national level. In addition, the workshop trained participants to prepare Antigua and Barbuda’s first Confidence-Building Measures (CBM) report and served as a platform to inform participants about assistance and cooperation opportunities to strengthen biosecurity nationally, through discussions facilitated by Dr. Alex Lampalzer and visiting experts, Dr. Mariana Ulinici, Research Scientist, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), and Dr. Vishal Goury, Chief Government Analyst of Mauritius.
Antigua and Barbuda acceded to the BWC in 2003, legally binding the country to refrain from developing, producing, stockpiling, acquiring, or utilising biological weapons.
The current National Contact Points are Dr. Linroy Christian, Director, Department of Analytical Services and Miss Alyssa Weste, Technical Cooperation Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Hosts Workshop on Preventing Biological Weapons.