Kiribati has formally joined the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), marking a significant step in global efforts to eliminate biological weapons. The United States, as one of the treaty's depositary governments, congratulated Kiribati on its accession on May 20, 2025.
This development coincides with the 50th anniversary of the BWC. The United States acknowledged Kiribati's decision as a crucial move towards enhancing security by joining over 180 other nations committed to the treaty. With this accession, all countries in the Asia Pacific region are now part of the BWC.
The BWC plays a vital role in international strategies to mitigate threats posed by biological weapons, whether wielded by state or non-state actors. Effective implementation of the BWC requires participation from all states. "We strongly urge all States not party to the BWC to join the Convention without delay," stated representatives from the United States.
