On 5-6 September 2018, UNICRI, in cooperation with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), held the 2nd INB Network Partners Meeting at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva. The partners participating in the meeting represented universities and research institutes from 9 countries and several international organizations, including the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Volker worked with UNICRI during the past 6 years. It is difficult to put into words how important his contribution was. Volker was our Encyclopedia on any political and technical issues related to the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He was always ready and willing to help his colleagues to improve their understanding of national and international issues and challenges.
International Network on Biotechnology: First Network Partners Meeting
On 12-13 July 2016, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) organized the First Network Partners Meeting for the International Network on Biotechnology (INB). The meeting was organized in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including academic and research institutions from South-East Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Understanding and Mitigating Emerging and Future Risks in the Life Sciences:
The International Network on Biotechnology: A Side Event at the Eighth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention
On 15 November 2016, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) organized a Side Event at the Eighth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) entitled “Understanding and Mitigating Emerging and Future Risks in the Life Sciences: The International Network on
UNICRI has been tasked by the European Commission with the overall coordination, provision of technical assistance and monitoring the implementation of twelve projects in South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) and Central Asian countries (Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) in the specific field of bio-safety and bio-security. This programme falls under the second phase of the European Commission’s programme entitled Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity Capabilities and is funded under the European Union’s Instrument for Stability.
Advances in Biotechnology are occurring at an unprecedented rate, opening doors for seeking improvements in important fields such as health, food and environment. However, rapidly advancing capabilities, decreasing costs and widely expanding access to and participation in modern biotechnology simultaneously increase the likelihood of safety and security risks that could endanger public health and the environment.
A Risk and Response Assessment of Advances in Biothecnology
In collaboration with European Commission, UNICRI produced a report on the “Security Implications of Synthetic Biology and Nanobiotechnology - A Risk and Response Assessment of Advances in Biothecnology”.
The threat of terrorism through the use of unconventional technological means cannot be ignored. The food and agriculture industry can be a vulnerable target for the terrorists given the potential high level of health and economic damage that can be achieved by attacking this sector.
Research and development in Life Sciences have the potential to bring about transformational change for the betterment of society, including through the convergence of advances in fields like synthetic biology, nanotechnology, information technology, the cognitive sciences, and neurosciences. However, the risks related to the misuse of the technological advances cannot be ignored.
UNICRI has been at the forefront in understanding the potential security risks related to the advances in biology and developing response options.
