GA Resolution: On Biological Weapons

Category: International Security


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Knootoss




Description: The World Assembly,

APPALLED by the consequences of attacks that use biological weapons, and wishing to prevent such attacks from being carried out against Member States;

CONCERNED about the possibility that biological weapons may be used by rogue states, terrorists or malign non-state actors, and wishing to prevent biological weapons from being used by such groups;

BELIEVING that Member States have a responsibility to assist all those who have have been exposed to biological weapons, and to do everything possible to enable an effective defence against such attacks;

Hereby resolves the following;

Article 1 - Prohibition on the use of biological weapons

a) 'Biological weapons' shall be defined as any disease-producing micro-organisms, toxic biological products, and organic biocides designed or used deliberately to cause death or injury to humans, animals, or plants in warfare.

b) The use of biological weapons against civilian populations, animals, plants, and the militaries of Member States shall be prohibited.

Article 2 - Non-Proliferation

a) Member States shall take all measures that are necessary to prevent the transfer of supplies, personnel or technical knowledge that would enable the deployment of biological weapons from their own nation to any group which might act in contravention of the previous article.

b) Member States shall take all reasonable and proportional actions that are necessary to prevent the transfer of supplies, personnel or technical knowledge from other nations to such groups.

Article 3 - Biodefence

a) Member States shall take all necessary and proportional measures to protect their populations from the consequences of an attack that uses biological weapons.

b) Such measures shall include, but are not limited to:
I. The development of tools that perform on-the-spot analysis and identification of suspected biological weapons and affected areas.
II. Military preparation to ensure biosecurity for troops and and affected civilians before and after an attack with biological weapons.
III. Preparations to ensure a robust biohazard response by civilian security, medical, public health, intelligence, diplomatic, and law enforcement agencies.
IV. Measures aimed at protecting agriculture and food supplies from being contaminated with biological weapons.

Article 4 - World Assembly Biological Weapons Agency

a) The World Assembly Biological Weapons Agency (WABWA) is hereby created as an agency of the World Assembly.

b) The World Assembly Biological Weapons Agency shall have the following responsibilities:
I. To monitor the production, stockpiling and use of biological weapons in order to safeguard the prohibitions established by this resolution.
II. To provide assistance to the civilian populations of Member States which have been exposed to danger as a result of attacks using biological weapons.
III. To share best practices related to biodefence with the governments of Member States.