The Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) will organize an International Workshop on the operationalization of BWC Article VII (Workshop).

The Workshop aims to promote expert discussions on BWC Article VII, particularly in light of the ongoing negotiations within the Working Group around this topic, and to contribute to the operationalization of this key Convention provision. In particular, the Workshop aims to: i) Raise further awareness about the provisions of Article VII of the Convention, including related rights and obligations for States Parties; ii) Explore potential Article VII scenarios and potential assistance needs; iii) Examine the implementation of a set of voluntary guidelines that could be used for requesting assistance in the framework of the BWC; and iv) Assess implications for stakeholders potentially engaged in an assistance operation (requesting/offering States Parties, relevant international organizations, BWC office holders, potential ISU role, etc.).