S/2022/821 SC

The Security Council, Stressing that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction is essential for international peace and security, Encouraging the universalization of the Convention, affirming, in particular, the high importance of the ratification of the Convention by the signatory States and accession to the Convention without delay by those parties that have not yet signed it, Recognizing the common interest of all humankind in completely excluding the possibility of the use of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons, and being convinced that such use would be repugnant to the conscience of humankind, Reiterating that Article 1 of the Convention prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition and retention of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons in all circumstances, Recalling that each State Party to the Convention undertakes, in accordance with its constitutional processes, to take any necessary measures to prohibit and prevent the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition or retention of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means of delivery specified in Article I of the Convention, within the territory of such State, under its jurisdiction or under its control anywhere, Noting that the Formal Consultative Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention that took place in Geneva on 26 August and 5 –9 September 2022 was convened and held pursuant to Article V of the Convention and the relevant provisions of the Final Document of the Third Review Conference of the Convention relating to the said Article, Acknowledging the final report of the abovementioned Formal Consultative Meeting, which, inter alia, notes that no consensus was reached regarding the outcome of the meeting, Entertaining the complaint of the Russian Federation under Article VI of the Convention set forth in the letter of 24 October 2022 by the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2022/796), and having heard the relevant statement by the representative of the Russian Federation, 1. Reaffirms that all States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction must give the utmost priority to the full implementation of all their obligations assumed under the Convention and be guided by an understandings agreed upon at the Review Conferences of the States Parties to the Convention; 2. Commits to strengthening the regime of the Convention, including all its articles; 3. Decides to set up a commission consisting of all members of the Security Council to investigate into the claims against the US and Ukraine contained in the complaint of the Russian Federation regarding the compliance with obligations under the Convention in the context of the activities of biological laboratories in the territory of Ukraine, as well as present to the Council a report on the issue containing recommendations by 30 November 2022 and inform the States Parties to the Convention at its Ninth Review Conference to be held in Geneva on 28 November–16 December 2022 of the results of the investigation; 4. Requests the Secretary-General and the BWC Implementation Support Unit to provide, within their respective mandates, all necessary assistance to the commission; 5. Recalls that, under Article VI of the Convention, its State Parties undertake to cooperate in carrying out any investigation which the Security Council may initiate, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, on the basis of the complaint received by the Council; 6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

UN Project. “S/2022/821.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/votes/resolution/S-2022-821/. Accessed .

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