Effectively Strengthening Safety and Security of Biological Research Globally

While global in scope, engagements with the following countries will be prioritized but not limited to: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore. Thailand, and Vietnam. These funds will be used to support activities related to national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). This includes support to build countries’ capabilities to implement their BWC obligations, including improving the safety and security of biological research through national policies and other measures – a priority outlined in the recent Executive Order 14292, “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research”. This work will advance the safety and security of the United States and Americans at home and abroad by promoting effective implementation of nonproliferation measures to prevent the acquisition, development, and use of biological weapons. Funds will strengthen the BWC and advance biosafety and biosecurity globally to protect Americans at home and abroad from the development and use of biological weapons and to prevent laboratory accidents that could have harmful consequences for the United States. In order to safeguard the United States and Americans at home and abroad from biological accidents and biological weapons acquisition, development, and use, these funds will advance BWC implementation in other countries, including support for developing national level policies and practices to ensure the safe and secure operation of high-containment laboratory facilities, strengthening oversight to ensure responsible conduct of research, and implementing data-informed best practices for biological risk management. Activities undertaken will be in the form of workshops and trainings.