The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in collaboration with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and King’s College London (KCL), hosted two consecutive regional workshops on “Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Compliance and Verification” and “Countering WMD Disinformation” on 18 and 19 February 2025.
These workshops bring together officials and experts from ASEAN member states to discuss critical challenges and opportunities in strengthening biological disarmament efforts and addressing misinformation in the security domain.
The BWC Compliance and Verification Workshop (18 February) examined ongoing discussions on compliance mechanisms, drawing lessons from other WMD treaties and verification regimes. Meanwhile, the Countering WMD Disinformation Workshop (19 February) focused on the increasing threat of false narratives that undermine global non-proliferation efforts.
“We hope these workshops provide valuable insights into evolving discussions on BWC verification, leveraging lessons from past verification models and exploring innovative solutions that incorporate emerging technologies,” said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles C. Jose in his opening remarks.
These regional workshops mark the second installment in a series of DFA-hosted events on disarmament and non-proliferation this year, reflecting the Philippines’ commitment to fostering international peace, security, and cooperation through a rules-based international order. They also underscore the country’s advocacy for strengthened collaboration in disarmament and non-proliferation across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Philippines recognizes that addressing biological threats and combating disinformation require robust international and regional cooperation. “Our partnerships with ASEAN member states are crucial to these efforts,” Undersecretary Jose emphasized.
As a nation that has ratified nearly all major humanitarian disarmament treaties and endorsed key initiatives, such as the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, the Philippines continues to play a leading role in promoting regional and global peace and security.
