Supporting Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention

BWC Meeting of Experts

B. AllinDirector, Operations

International Federation of Biosafety Associations

International Federation of Biosafety AssociationsOverview•International non-profit NGO established in 2001 •Comprised of member national & regional biosafety associations •Observer organizations

(govt’s, academia, multilateral organizations, NGOs)

• Over 60 members & observer organizations worldwide• Efforts underway to increase representation from

Central/South America• Steady increase in national/regional associations in SE Asia,

MENA, Africa• Steady increase in observer organizations (BWC ISU, Vertic,

BEP, CBEP, Canada’s GPP, Bradford, UN1540 Committee, Interpol etc.)

International Federation of Biosafety Associations

• Non profit organizations NGOs bringing individuals from various disciplines together (health, agriculture, security)

• Governments, policy makers, scientists, doctors, veterinarians, lab technicians, architects, engineers, private industry, academia, other NGOs

• Stimulate discussion about challenges, and what is necessary in unique national and regional context

• Ensure participation of local stakeholders in international/regional initiatives

The IFBA Member Community

• Outreach to the local level and civil society around the globe• Harness tremendous potential by working together• Provides a platform for dialogue & cooperation

IFBA role:Advocacy at international levels Link & leverage expertise and supportPromote improved biorisk management practicesTechnical input into international guidelines & best practicesEmpower sustainable development of national/regional associations

National/Regional Association’s role:Advocacy at national levelsSupport to national authorities in implementing national biorisk

management policies, BWC, UN1540, IHRsTraining & awareness raisingPromote and facilitate implementation of best practicesTechnical input into national guidelines, standards, legislation

The IFBA Member Community

Implement innovative programming Flexible and adaptable, undertake projects with limited fundingAble to assume risks & work with some uncertaintyMake new technologies accessible & practical

Complement and supplement the efforts of government and multilateral agencies

Able to address this “transnational” issueEffect cross-border cooperation

Advocate for changes in policyConfront underlying political issuesOutlet for people to find a political voice and “get a seat at the table”Empower and mobilize civil societyProvide a venue for stakeholder consultations by governments

National & Regional Biosafety Associations

2011 - 2016

International Federation of Biosafety Associations

Strategic Plan

OUR MISSION:

“Safe, Secure and Responsiblework with Biological Materials.”

IFBA Strategic Plan

IFBA’s strategic plan is implemented in partnership with national & regional member biosafety associations worldwide.

Strategic Objectives

Overview

International Federation of Biosafety Associations

Support to the Development of Biorisk Management Standards

• Technical input and tools to support development and implementations of national/international guidelines, standards

• Translation into key local languages & dissemination • Facilitation of next steps for CEN Biorisk Management Workshop

Agreements - Conversion to International ISO Workshop Agreement?

Guidelines & Standards

• Local support National Biosafety Associations/National Authorities to develop & implement national biorisk management strategies National policies, guidelines, training, tool-kits, facilities, transport

• IFBA receives requests regularly from national members

National Biorisk Management Strategies

• Informed by key international instruments that control and inform biorisk management policies (treaties, conventions, agreements, standards, guidelines)

National Biorisk Management Strategies

Strengthening Biosafety & Biosecurity in Low-Resource Settings

Overview

International Federation of Biosafety Associations

• Lack of biosafety/biosecurity equipment, supplies, resources • Use limited resources to implement a “rational” approach that

is risk-based, cost-effective, practical and sustainable• Identify the most effective technologies within country

“context” – use of inappropriate technologies wastes resources and drains funds from more effective interventions

Resource Issues

• Carefully manage biosafety & biosecurity equipment & facilities

Selected properly; used correctly and to maximum capacity; lasts as long as possible

• Cannot underestimate recurrent costs, infrastructure needs, knowledge of application, & maintenance (technical and managerial issue)

Sustainability of Biosecurity Investments

• scientists, biosafety professionals, architects, engineers, facility maintenance staff, equipment manufacturers from around the world

Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania, Kyrgyz Republic, Switzerland, UK, Canada, US, etc….

• familiar with working in, maintaining, designing, building, certifying BSL2/3/4 laboratories for both human & animal health

• understand local, practical issues in building and maintaining cost-effective facilities that are sustainable in resource limited countries over the longer term

Biocontainment Engineering Working Group

Finding the Right Balance:•Balance between engineering controls, equipment, practices and procedures•Identify practical solutions that are sustainable at the local level

Long-term, cost-effective operation…

Risk-Based Biocontainment Solutions

Risk-Based Biocontainment Solutions

• How can we build safe and secure facilities that are cost effective & sustainable?

• BEWG White PapersDesign of cost-effective, sustainable, secure pathogen repositories in low resource settings; natural ventilation solutions; user BSC functional verification test, efficient mobile laboratory infrastructure for bioterrorism response

Biocontainment Engineering Working Group

Mentoring and twinningRegional hands-on workshops followed by long-term mentoring

Technical platformTechnical information, web portal for ongoing communication

Biocontainment Engineering Working Group

• No international certification scheme exists• Rely on individuals to manage biological risks – no system

to assess their qualifications in different technical specialties

• Widely divergent competencies (well qualified to under qualified)

• Clear international demand for graduated certification levels based on specific technical competencies

• Provide confidence that individuals are competent and knowledgeable

Certification of Biorisk Management Professionals

• Certification in specific technical competencies • Graduated levels within each competency • Foster continual learning and professional development

throughout an individual’s career• Complement & supplement existing overarching

national credentialing programs (ABSA, JBSA) which may be required

Certification of Biorisk Management Professionals

• Certification based on knowledge and application of knowledge in various technical disciplines

Certification of Biorisk Management Professionals

Intended outcomes•Enhanced management of biological risks and secure handling of biological pathogens•Enhanced safety and security of biorisk management professionals, laboratorians, scientists, and the general public;•Increased government and public confidence in biosafety and biosecurity practices and programs;•Increased government and public confidence in those who work with biological materials;•Enhanced recognition and endorsement of biorisk management as a credible and skilled profession; •Increased incentive for biorisk management professional competency requirements to be included in standards, guidelines,and legislation; and•Greater demand for services of biorisk management professionals with demonstrated competence

Certification of Biorisk Management Professionals

• Developing advocacy tools to promote adoption of biorisk management at individual, institute, national, international levels

• Address perceptions that biosecurity risks are a remote possibility despite poor biosecurity measures and inadequate facilities

Biorisk Management Advocacy

• Ongoing communication of clear messages• Advocating for the needs of our member communities

Advocacy & Raising Awareness of Key Issues

• Production of targeted advocacy tools - written materials, powerful storytelling impact videos, movement portrait messaging platform

• Work with experienced team - award winning NGO advocacy films, movement portraits

Biorisk Management Advocacy

• No international mechanism for collecting data from biosafety/biosecurity incidents (theft of pathogens, breaches of containment, lab-acquired infections…)

• Data collected would lead to evidence-based decision making and inform best practices, guidelines, standards

• IFBA “neutral entity” to facilitate project in collaboration with stakeholders

Data collection strategy & platformAnalysis and interpretation of dataCommunication of results for action

Surveillance of Biosafety/Biosecurity Incidents

• IFBA provides training to national/regional member associations• strategic planning, governance, advocacy, financial management, resource

mobilization, performance measurement, accountability, sustainability• Work with experienced consultants in the field of NGO

sustainability

Sustainable Biosafety Associations

• Work with experienced consultants in the field of NGO sustainability - Local experience in region of concern

Sustainable Biosafety Associations

• Sustainable solutions and interventions cannot always be fully shared or standardized across the entire global community – must be created within or adapted to local contexts

• Advocates at the regional level may catalyze actions or create spaces for individuals to learn, but sustainability and empowerment occur only as individuals within the group create their own momentum, gain their own skills, and advocate for their own changes

Why Strong Associations & Partnerships Matter

• Individual (biosafety professional) & organizational (biosafety association) levels

• Dynamic process

Empowering Our Members & Leveraging Partnership

• Mentor those new to the field of biosafety & biosecurity• Provide leadership and nurture champions• Culture of biosecurity and accountability

IFBA Biosafety Heroes / Engineering Award

Supporting Champions

• Advocate for national implementation policies, guidelines

• Technical assistance to governments in meeting their obligations under the BWC

• Training workshops & awareness raising at the institute level

• Understand local context• Stimulate discussion about

challenges & what is necessary & sustainable in their unique region

The Role of Biosafety Associations & the BWC

• Civil society has an active & meaningful role to play in implementation of BWC

The Role of Biosafety Associations & the BWC

International Federation of Biosafety Associations