Advancing Global Action to Prevent Biological Threats

WOAH’s 3rd Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction

WOAH convened its 3rd Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction in Geneva from 28 – 30 October, marking a major milestone in global biosecurity. Building on previous editions in 2015 and 2017, this landmark event brought together international experts to strengthen preparedness against biological threats.

The year 2025 was a historic one for health security, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention and the centenary of the Geneva Protocol. Against this backdrop, WOAH united Members, partners and specialists to review past challenges, anticipate emerging risks and identify bold strategies for world-changing action.

What are Biological Threats?

Biological threats involve the deliberate release of pathogens or toxins into a population. While most disease outbreaks occur naturally, accidental or deliberate introductions cannot be ignored. Though the likelihood of such events may be low, their potential impact on animal and human health is catastrophic – at national, regional and global levels.

Animal pathogens pose a serious concern. They can be weaponised or exploited in agro-crime and agro-terrorism because they have high impact, are easy to propagate and can cross borders undetected. Learn more in our Animal Echo article: From Fiction to Reality: The Threat of Agro-Terrorism and watch the short fictional film The Fever, created for the Conference.

Biological Threat Reduction: Our Shared Responsibility

Combating biological threats is a shared responsibility. It requires collaboration across sectors and expertise – from animal health to public health, security and beyond. That was the purpose of the Global Conference: to unite people with knowledge, interest and willingness to act.

Global Conference Highlights

In her opening remarks, WOAH Director General Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran urged Veterinary Services to take biological threats seriously, noting they are on the frontline of defence. She called on the security sector to integrate Veterinary Services into both national and international biosecurity policies, stressing the importance of coordinated prevention, detection and response.

Keynote speaker Lord Andrew Parker, former Director General of MI5, reinforced this message, urging participants to not ‘let differences between nations divide us’. His words set the scene for the Conference: strengthening international efforts in biological threat reduction and fostering multisectoral partnerships in global health.

Nearly 500 participants from 95 countries attended, representing:

• Veterinary Services and animal health
• Law Enforcement
• Public health
• Disarmament
• Academia
• Students
• Private industry
• International organisations

The programme highlighted key components of biological threat reduction.

• Day One: Understanding the threat landscape – drivers, deliberate events and underrepresented risks.
• Day Two: Advances in science and technology – surveillance, diagnostics and emergency management.
• Day Three: Action – global frameworks, advocacy and investment strategies.

Access full replays and presentations on the Conference website.

Side Events

Participants explored specialised topics through side events, including:

• Safeguarding Africa’s bioeconomy
• Countering mis/disinformation
• Collaboration between Law Enforcement and Veterinary Services
• Reviewing the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence
• A cross-sectoral simulation exercise

Looking Ahead

WOAH aimed for an action-oriented outcome. Participants were invited to submit commitments to action before and during the event, resulting in over 50 concrete pledges from Delegates, Law Enforcement, international organisations, private sector actors, regional bodies and investment partners. These commitments form a solid foundation for follow-up and real-world impact.

The most effective way to limit animal-related biothreats is to strengthen animal and human health systems for surveillance, early detection and rapid response – while building partnerships with the security sector.

This often-invisible work is crucial to keeping systems safe and functional.

The Global Conference highlighted innovative solutions and the partnerships needed to combat biological threats effectively. It was not just a discussion – it was a call to action.

Learn more about WOAH’s biothreat reduction initiatives

Contact: Madison Wimmers ([email protected]) or Dan Donachie ([email protected]).