About these Studies

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) prohibits the development, production and stockpiling of biological weapons, while permitting defensive research. Although biodefense research programs may be necessary for protection against biological warfare, there is often only a very fine line separating defensive and offensive activities, and offensive capabilities may be generated in the course of defensive work.

Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for governments to exercise sound judgment and restraint in their biodefense programs and to guarantee full transparency in all aspects of biodefense research, so as to increase confidence between countries, avoid suspicions and uninformed allegations, and prevent a race for offensive capabilities under cover of defense.

To increase transparency and to contribute to building confidence in this critical area of international arms control, the Sunshine Project has initiated a series of in-depth country studies to publish additional information on BW-related activities in a variety of countries.

The country studies are based on open sources such as scientific publications, general media, government publications and the internet as well as direct contacts with relevant institutions and individuals.

Confidence-Building Measures

In connection with the country studies, the Sunshine Project has also begun to make available selected 'Confidence Building Measures' (CBMs), the annual declarations submitted by State Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention. These are posted at right.

State Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) agreed in 1987 and in a revised version in 1992 to annually submit so-called 'Confidence Building Measures' (CBMs), i.e. information on biodefense programs, biological capabilities and other relevant fields. CBMs are submitted to the United Nations, but most countries - with the notable exception of Australia and the USA - do not make them available to the general public. In connection with our series of country studies, some selected CBMs are available here for download.