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Kindly Supported by:
Dar-Es-Salaam – 9-10th May 2022
On 9 and 10 May 2022, PGA’s International Peace and Security Program organized a Workshop in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania with the kind support from Global Affairs Canada. This activity included 27 participants representing 16 African States and organizations, to promote Biological Security in the region.
The First Session of the Workshop was opened by former PGA Member, Hon. Dr. Pindi Chana, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of Tanzania, followed by Hon. Pamela O’Donnell, High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania before the Workshop was officially declared opened by the Chair of PGA National Group in Tanzania, Hon. Jasson Rweikiza. During the course of the two-day Workshop, participants were able to share their own insights and experiences in the promotion of Biological Security in their respective countries but also regionally. Particular attention was devoted to the Biological Weapons Convention (1972), UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) and, UN Security Council Resolution 2325 (2016).
One of the most important statements issued during the Workshop was made by Hon. Hamunyera Hambyuka, MP, Namibia, who announced that the Republic of Namibia has submitted its instrument of accession to the Biological Weapon Convention.
Namibia aspires to sustainable development in a democratic world, which operates in a rules-based international order that promotes peace and security, for all peoples. As such, on the 10th of February 2022, the Republic of Namibia submitted its instrument of accession to the Biological Weapon Convention to the Government of United Kingdom as one of the depository Governments. Our aim is to be part of the global multilateral framework to enhance cooperation in addressing threats of biological weapons.
Our country is now in the process of domesticating the BWC. In this regard, our Government will seek the appropriate support from the Secretariat of the BWC and the international community at large, to enable us to implement the Convention.
Namibia will remain actively engaged and committed to the ideals of the Convention, and our participation in this Workshop is a demonstration of that. Let us keep in mind that pandemics and gaps in the implementation of the Convention will increase the danger for all of us. Therefore, we must avoid unnecessary politicization of these issues and be guided by scientific facts and not emotion to ensure the safety of mankind. “ Hon. Hamunyera Hambyuka, MP, Namibia
Statements from each delegation were presented through Tuesday, May 10, 2022. In addition, a UNODC expert, Mr. O'Neil Hamilton, gave an excellent presentation on the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention and UNSCR 1540 in Africa, which elicited very interesting comments and questions from the participants.
After vivid debates and exchanges, the parliamentarians attending the Workshop adopted the Plan of Action of Dar-es-Salaam which includes a number of specific measures/steps for participant Parliamentarians to consider taking within their respective Parliaments in order to promote greater Universality and Implementation of the BWC, as appropriate, and implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004).
Within the coming months, PGA’s International Peace and Security Program will continue to collaborate with participants to provide assistance and also to follow-up on the actions they have taken in the months following the workshop.
