In these sharply polarized times, good to see the international biosecurity community come together at the 9th Biological Weapons Review Conference. #BWCRevCon https://twitter.com/bwcisu/status/1603803454568382486?s=12&t=4sRkOEPvlP7kKA5ifphcpQ

More seriously, though, the 8th session of the #BWCRevCon, which is ongoing this afternoon in Geneva, isn't getting listed on the UN TV site - cc: @dfeakes / @BWCISU / @UNWebTV

Now what am I supposed to do while waiting for my connecting flight?

For those attempting to follow the #BWCRevCon live, I'm unfortunately not livetweeting.

Worse, this afternoon's UN TV feed doesn't seem to be working - but even if it was, it only lets you watch the video at 2x time for past videos - there's no way to speed up the live feed.

For those who haven't attended a #BWCRevCon, there is a norm requiring all speakers discussing the #1972BWC to mention that it is "the first disarmament treaty to ban an entire class of weapons."

Going forward, we need to move beyond norms to make this a binding requirement!

One noteworthy point across many, many speakers at the #BWCRevCon
and related #1972BWC events is an emphasis on balancing need to restrict dual-use and bioweapons work with the promise of future biotechnology.

Fantastic opening statement from US Undersecretary @Jenkinsbd of @USAmbCD this morning about the need to support the inexpensive but critical work of the #1972BWC at the #BWCRevCon today, and need to see its work expanded.

...and in light of twitter rules about not spreading misinformation, I'm not going to repeat anything the Russian delegation is saying in their reply.

#1972BWC #BWCRevCon

...and I spoke too soon!

The chair just said that Algeria will have the last statement, because 2 countries have asked for a right-of-reply before we end for the day. (I wonder who the second one was?)

#1972BWC #BWCRevCon

Happy to report that nothing surprising or exciting has happened in the last hour an a half of statements- just states reiterating importance of BWC and need for new widely discussed ideas proposed in the 29 non-Russian working papers. https://meetings.unoda.org/bwc-revcon/biological-weapons-convention-ninth-review-conference-2022

#1972BWC #BWCRevCon

Czechia follows suit with criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and their CBRN threats...

...and manages to get almost 30 seconds in before Russia raises a completely new different of order! (I'm joking, of course - it's the same old 16.2 objection.)

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

The chair says he has already ruled, and repeated that countries may complete their statements, but should ensure their comments are relevant.

Georgia continued a few more words - and Russia interrupts again, and objects to politicizing the meeting.

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Russian delegate: "We are not discussing the special operation in Ukraine. Maybe the delegate from Georgia went into the wrong door?"

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Georgia is now making a statement about solidarity with Ukraine... and before they can say much, Russia once again interrupts with a point of order.

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

The chair now says that they rule that states should be sure to follow the rule, but in order to allow states to complete their statements and tie them into the topic, Estonia may continue and finish making their point.

Estonia says it has already finished.

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Estonia was speaking about Russian disinformation. Russia is now raising a point of order saying that this is not on the current topic, and per rule 16.2 asked the chair to stop the provocations and unrelated opinions of the Estonian delegation. #BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Tor those interested in following #1972BWC #BWCRevCon Twitter, aside from those hashtags, I have a twitter list which might be helpful: https://twitter.com/davidmanheim/lists/bwcmx-2019
(And if you're here and want to be added to the list, let me know.)