The European Union (EU) welcomes the accession of Comoros on 14 February and Kiribati on 20 May to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), becoming the 188th and 189th States Parties to the Convention.

This marks another important step toward the universalisation of this key multilateral instrument, which bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. The EU actively supports the Convention’s universalisation process, including the accessions of Comoros and Kiribati, through an EU-funded project.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the BTWC in 2025, these latest accessions reaffirm the global commitment to prevent the development and use of biological agents and toxins as weapons. Universal adherence is essential to addressing both traditional and emerging biological threats.

The EU calls on all remaining States not yet party to join the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

Background

The EU is a consistent and committed supporter of the BTWC. All 27 EU Member States are parties to the Convention. The EU and all its Member States are also participants in the Australia Group, a multilateral export control regime that complements the Convention by promoting responsible trade in dual use biological and chemical materials and technologies.