On 4 and 5 August, the United Nations Office to the African Union attended a joint African Union–United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) regional workshop on strengthening implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) in Africa through biosecurity governance and strategic trade management.
Convened by the African Union Commission and UNODA, the workshop brought together representatives from AU Member States and partners, including Africa CDC, the European Union Partner-to-Partner Programme, the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, AFRIPOL and the African Continental Free Trade Area. Discussions focused on implementing biosecurity obligations under resolution 1540 and the Biological Weapons Convention.
Participants emphasized strengthening measures to prevent non-State actors from acquiring, developing, possessing or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery. Discussions also addressed preventing the misuse of biological materials, equipment and expertise amid advances in biotechnology.
The workshop highlighted institution-building, whole-of-government approaches, research, innovation and stronger collaboration among AU institutions, Member States and international partners. Fellows from the AU Fellowship Programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation also participated, supporting peer learning and experience-sharing.
