Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act

The Chemical Weapons Convention Implemention Act is a division of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 and implements the Chemical Weapons Convention. According to the Congressional Research Service Summary, the Act: requires the Deparment of State, designated the United States National Authority by the President, to act as the liason for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Chemical Weapons Convention; makes developing, acquiring, transferring, stockpiling, possessing, or using chemical weapons illegal; and, requires inspection of chemical plants by the OPCW.

Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007

Public Law No. 110-53
Passed:
August 3, 2007

Improving Epidemic Response: Building Bridges Between the U.S. and China (Conference Report)

Improving Epidemic Response: Building Bridges Between the U.S. and China was held in Washington, DC, on May 15, 2012. Hosted by the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC, this conference brought together leaders from China and the U.S. who represent federal government, city and county government, research organizations, industry, think tanks, and academia.

The meeting provided a forum to increase mutual understanding of U.S. and Chinese strategies for responding to major disease epidemics. It was also a venue for leaders, scientists, and officials from both countries to present their approaches to disease outbreak response and to consider effective practices and the potential for future collaborations in epidemic preparedness and response. Distinguished speakers and panelists explored a range of topics, from surveillance and sequencing, to medicine and vaccine development, to lessons from natural disasters, to partnerships between the respective federal agencies, to epidemic response in large cities.”

Prepared by Kunal Rambhia and Anita Cicero

Author:
Center for Biosecurity of UPMC
Publish Date:
May 15 2012

Improving Global Health, Strengthening Global Security

“With the support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC hosted “Improving Global health, Strengthening Global Security.” The meeting focused on policies and programs important to improving global public health and to strengthening global security—efforts that collectively comprise global health security. Such efforts include international cooperation in support of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the International Health Regulations (IHR); disease surveillance for outbreaks of international importance and urgency; exchange of technical information and new pathogens for vaccine, medicine, and diagnostic development; and prevention, early warning, and control of serious animal disease outbreaks.”

Author:
Center for Biosecurity of UPMC
Publish Date:
2011

Improving Metrics for the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program

This National Academy of Sciences (NAS) study, requested under the Congressional mandare, evaluates the “metrics to measure the impact and effectiveness of activities of the Cooperative Threat Reduction [CTR] Program of the Department of Defense [DoD]. The NAS study committee found that the DoD Metrics Report provides reasonable metrics for some activities of the CTR Program which consolidate and eliminate weapons of mass destruction and weapons materials, and provides a solid starting point for developing metrics for newer, expanded capacity-building efforts under the CTR Program. The committee also identified shortcomings in the DoD Metrics Report and here Provides recommendations to enhance DoD’s development and use of metrics for the CTR program.

Author:
Committee on Improving Metrics for the Department of Defense; Cooperative Threat Reduction Program; National Academy of Sciences
Publish Date:
January 2012