Provisions for Incentives and Safeguards

Conclusion

A general conclusion can be drawn regarding the perception of the intrinsic value of a legally binding instrument to strengthen to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Not surprisingly a legally binding instrument would incorporate the necessary safeguards to ensure its practicability in a long-term perspective. The obligation that a State Party would choose to become party to the legally binding instrument could not be imposed on them in a systematic way. Provision has been included in the draft legally binding instrument for practical arrangements during onsite activities. The security value of a legally binding instrument to the Convention would lie in its capacity to provide a clear indication of the political willingness of State Parties to comply with their commitments under the Convention and in this respect the legally binding instrument implementation outcomes would need to be compared with the other complementary arms control and non-proliferation tools already in force.