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International Biological Threat Reduction: The Canadian Experience. The Canadian Experience: Introduction. The events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent anthrax incidents of Fall 2001 brought growing attention to chemical, BIOLOGICAL , radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats
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International Biological Threat Reduction:The Canadian Experience
The Canadian Experience: Introduction • The events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent anthrax incidents of Fall 2001 brought growing attention to chemical, BIOLOGICAL, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats • No country is immune from a potential CBRN incident • While it has experienced no specific CBRN threat, Canada has acted decisively to address the issue by releasing an comprehensive Strategy • Canada supports the global effort to combat CBRN threats through international action based on agreed standards and practices • Canada is a world leader in the support of non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament – the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction will reduce the likelihood of their illicit acquisition • Canada provides CBRN training, funding, technical and legal assistance, and information to prevent and respond to a CBRN incident
The Canadian Experience – Outline: • Non-Proliferation and Disarmament • Counter-Terrorism • Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program • Global Partnership Program
Canadian Non-Proliferation and Disarmament: • Organizing Canada’s participation in all Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention-related (BTWC) meetings • Australia Group Plenary (Paris, 21-25 September 09) • Meeting of Experts (Geneva, 24-28 August 09) • Meeting of States Parties (Geneva, 7-11 December 09) • Seventh Review Conference (2011) • Preparation and submission of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) • Work with Geographics and Missions to promote BTWC Universality • Current efforts in Guyana and Haiti, to achieve universality in the Americas
Canadian BTWC Chairmanship: • Chair: Ambassador Marius Grinius • Theme: “Promoting capacity-building in the fields of disease surveillance, detection, diagnosis, and containment” • International cooperation, in accordance with Article 10 • Universality – another key issue • Hope to have closer ties with international organizations with similar mandates (e.g. WHO, PAHO, OIE, etc.) • Improving the template from CBMs – also under consideration
BTWC Consultation and Outreach: • Canada: • Consultations with PHAC, DFAIT, DND, RCMP, CFIA, and Canadian Centre for Treaty Compliance, Carleton University, in Ottawa (April) • Consultation with the PHAC/CFIA Containment Level 4 Lab, in Winnipeg (April) • United Kingdom: • London and Porton Down (April) • USA: • Consultation with State Department, in Washington, DC (April) • Consultation with Fort Detrick, in Frederick, MD (May) • Morocco • Biosafety & Biosecurity International Conference, in Casablanca (April) • Kyrgyz Republic: • Biological Non-Proliferation (BNP) Conference, in Bishkek (May) • Kazakhstan: • Biosafety Association for Central Asia & Caucasus, in Almaty (May) • BTWC Implementation Workshop, in Astana (September, TBC)
Counter-Terrorism Efforts: • Support international efforts to deter the transfer and use of CBRN weapons and CBRN weapons-capable materials • Organizing Canada’s participation in ad-hoc bioterrorism meetings e.g.: • Bilateral and security consultations • G8 Bioterrorism Experts Group (BTEX) • Work with the international community to bring terrorists to justice • Work with partners and allies to develop combined response plans, training protocols, equipment and interoperability standards, mutual aid agreements. Conduct exercises, share information, engage in joint research and development • Coordinate international CBRN assistance to other states and serve as the clearinghouse for related requests
Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program: • Est. 2005, from Canada’s National Security Policy • Horizontally managed by 16 Federal Departments incl. Foreign Affairs, Public Safety, National Defence, and Health • 7 Investment Priorities, e.g. CBRNE: premium on skills & technology transfer to front line agencies • Internationally $13M per year + $6M earmarked for Afghanistan – $1.5M on BIO CB in Asia each year
CTCBP Mandate: • To contribute to the security of Canadians and inhabitants of beneficiary states and government entities by providing training, funding, equipment, technical, legal and other assistance to those states and entities to enable them to prevent and respond to terrorist activity, in a manner consistent with international counter-terrorism and human rights obligations, norms and standards.
CBRNE/Bio Results: Asia • GoC SE Asia First Responder Training (5 Phases) • DRDC CT Simulation – Response to Bio Attack • AMITA Corp. – Rapid Triage Mgt. Solutions • ASEAN Bio-terrorism Workshops • CBRNE Needs Assessments – South Asia (DRDC) Enquiries → ctcbp@international.gc.ca
The Global Partnership Program (GPP): Under Canada’s leadership, the G8 launched the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction at the 2002 G8 Summit in Kananaskis Kananaskis Statement We commit ourselves to prevent terrorists, or those hat harbour them, from acquiring or developing nuclear, chemical, radiological and biological weapons; missiles; and related materials, equipment and technology.
GPP Priorities: • The Global Partnership identified four priority areas: • destruction of chemical weapons • dismantlement of nuclear submarines • nuclear and radiological security • employment of former weapons scientists * Biological non-proliferation (BNP) identified as a serious concern by the G8 - a fifth priority for Canada • G8 committed up to US $20 billion over ten years • Canada has committed $1 billion (Cdn) • $125 million for Biological Non-Proliferation
Biological Non-Proliferation Programming 1. Guidelines & Standards 2. Training 4. New Lab & Facility Upgrades 3. Biosafety Associations GPP and Bio Non-Proliferation: Canada has developed a comprehensive strategy to work together with partner countries to enhance biosecurity, biosafety and biocontainment ISTC & STCU Scientist Redirection • BTWC • Geneva Protocol • AG Biosecurity & Biosafety
Biosafety and Biosecurity: Guidelines Development & modernization of guidelines, standards and regs on biosafety & biosecurity in Kyrgyz Republic • Training • KSCQZD Training Center, Almaty • Annual Training Plans • Courses & Conferences • Resources • Associations • International Affiliations • BACAC
BNP Partnership with the Kyrgyz Republic: • $40-45 million (2008-2012/13) • New BSL3 Lab (pathogen consolidation) • Design completion - June 2009 • Construction, Cx & Ca: 2009-2012 • Security upgrades: complete by Sept 09 • Guidelines, Training & Associations • BNP (BTWC, Export Controls, etc)