NTI, Georgetown global health center stress importance of emergency readiness, response

Experts in the fields of biological weapons and related security, along with government officials from around the world, gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, this week for the 2018 Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts.

Their attentions were focused on evolving global preparedness and advancing responses to biological events. Members of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) held a joint conference with the Georgetown University Center for Global Health Science and Biological Events on that very issue.

NTI and Georgetown presented a number of new forward paths. They previewed an unreleased tabletop exercise meant to offer recommendations for response strengthening of international organizations and humanitarian responders. They also showcased an online, interactive tool that provides stakeholders with a map of activities during biological events. The presenting experts showcased original research identifying and comparing requests for various states’ assistance. They also briefed their colleagues on the NTI Global Biosecurity Dialogue, meant to promote communication between multiple agencies and advance biosecurity policy frameworks and in-country capabilities.