United States Mission Geneva

United States remains committed to reaching an agreement on a legally binding protocol on Cluster Munitions in the CCW to address their humanitarian impact on civilian populations. In our many rounds of negotiations in Geneva, we have made important progress towards achieving such an agreement—much difficult work has been done, many compromises have been found, and significant areas for further compromise have been identified.

In April 2009 in Prague, President Obama articulated a bold vision: to “seek the peace and security of a world free of nuclear weapons.” We are committed to this ffort no matter how hard it might be, or how long it might take.

The topic of our discussions this week is “effective action on the provision of assistance and coordination with relevant organizations upon request in the case of alleged use of biological or toxin weapons.” Confidence that such assistance will be available strengthens the Biological Weapons Convention. If commitments to provide assistance are real, credible, and effective, they can serve as an incentive for States to join the Convention, and a deterrent to those who might consider using biological weapons.

The 2010 Meeting of Experts will held in the Palais des Nations Room XIX from 23 to 27 August 2010. In accordance with the decision of the Sixth Review Conference, the Meeting of Experts will discuss, and promote common understanding and effective action on the provision of assistance and coordination with relevant organizations upon request by any State Party in the case of alleged use of biological or toxin weapons, including improving national capabilities for disease surveillance, detection and diagnosis and public health systems.