Graham S. Pearson is an Honorary Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford. He was previously Director General and Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down, Salisbury. He has published several articles and papers on chemical and biological defence and arms control.
Discussion of Article XV at the Third Review Conference
1. The Final Declaration of the Third Review Conference1 noted the provisions of Article XV which states that:
This Convention, the English, Russian, French, Spanish and Chinese texts of which are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Depositary Governments. Duly certified copies of the Convention shall be transmitted by the Depositary Governments to the Governments of the signatory and acceding States.
Developments since the Third Review Conference
2. As there have been no developments since the Third Review Conference in respect of Article XV, it is suggested that the Fourth Review Conference should adopt the same language as that in the Final Declaration of the Third Review Conference:
The Conference notes the provisions of Article XV.
1 United Nations, The Third Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, Geneva, 9Ð27 September 1991, BWC/CONF.III/23, Geneva 1992.