The Chemical Weapons Convention has a unique Scientific Advisory Board that ensures it keeps pace with science, and its implementing body is prepared for future challenges. It is a model that could be usefully applied to other disarmament treaties.
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References
Chemical Weapons Convention (OPCW, 2024); https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention.
Report of the Scientific Advisory Board on Developments in Science and Technology to the Fifth Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review the Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (OPCW, 2023); https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2023/02/rc5dg01%28e%29.pdf.
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Understanding Regarding the Aerosolised Use of Central Nervous System-Acting Chemicals for Law Enforcement Purposes (OPCW, 2021); https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021/12/c26dec10%28e%29.pdf.
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Revill, J., Anand, A. & Persi, G. P. Exploring science and technology review mechanisms under the Biological Weapons Convention. UNIDIR https://doi.org/10.37559/SECTEC/2021/SandTreviews/01 (2021).
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Related links
Education and Outreach: https://www.opcw.org/about/subsidiary-bodies/advisory-board-education-and-outreach
OPCW: https://www.opcw.org
Scientific Advisory Board: https://www.opcw.org/about/subsidiary-bodies/scientific-advisory-board
Spiez CONVERGENCE: https://www.spiezlab.admin.ch/en/home/meta/refconvergence.html
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Clapham, S., Hotchkiss, P.J. Robust scientific advisory mechanisms future-proof disarmament treaties. Nat Rev Chem 8, 231–233 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-024-00594-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-024-00594-2
