African nations have been called upon to adopt the commissioning of the experts and professionals who can help in the development of relevant policies on the Biological Weapon convention issues.
In the regional workshop on universalization and effective implementation of the biological weapons convention in Eastern, the scientists who came from across 12 countries had been tasked to provide a broad understanding of the BWC and related implementation requirements
Among the challenges that were raised was a lack of resources and institutional arrangements which as a result affects attention to the BWC implementation.
There is also no awareness of the BWC particularly at the policy level which affects the progress of improving its implementation.
Speaking on Wednesday during the last day of the workshop in Mombasa, the state department for university education and research principal secretary Simon Nabukwesi said that biological weapons occupy an area that is very sensitive locally, regionally and globally.
However, he said that there are several emerging issues that mankind must quickly isolate and strategically address for the safety of everyone.
“Everyone should be on the alert just in case there is deliberate or threatened use of biological agents which includes viruses, bacteria, toxins or other agents that might cause illness or death among people, animals and plants,” he said.
He said that there is a need to increase and heighten awareness and concern about the possibility of bioterrorism involving animals.
He called upon every country to develop requisite legal instruments that will assist capacity preparedness.
“I am glad to note that Kenya is in the process of finalizing the development of a bioscience framework that focuses on bio-economy and biosecurity,” he said.
Nabukwesi said that Kenya has various training laboratory facilities that contain biological agents of biosecurity concern but the key players lack awareness of the same.
“There is a need to upgrade the facilities to meet the international standards and also develop a legal framework for effective controls including the biosecurity regulations, guidelines and procedures,” he said.
On biological weapons, Nabukwesi said that they are unique because they are made up of pathogenic organisms that can reproduce and cause infection in a large number of hosts.
He said that there is a need to deliberately undertake the safe management of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
The PS said that the government will draw support from agreements, arrangements, deeds and statements between the government, plants and animals industries, environmental groups and research organizations.
“Kenya will continue engaging in international biosecurity, trade, health and environmental agreements including measures outlined by the world trade organization, international plant protection convention, world organization for animal health and world health organization,” he said.
He said that the government will establish arrangements on responding to exotic pests, weeds, weeds and diseases that are detected within and have the potential to impact animals, plants and human beings.
The government will also outline national statements on the national biosecurity goals, roles and responsibilities and principles for managing biosecurity risk.
The high commission of Canada to Kenya, global affairs Canada deputy head of cooperation Annie Bruton said that BWC is one of the key coordination mechanisms that aim to mitigate the threats of biological weapons to national, regional and international corporations.
“I understand that the BWC marks its 15th anniversary this year, however, progress is still needed to ensure full and effective implementation in Africa,” she said.
The participants who found the workshop to be useful to gain a better understanding of the BWC and its benefits were left with the task of reflecting on how best to improve its implementation at the national level.