When was the Biological Weapons Convention signed and when did it enter into force?

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) was signed in London, Moscow, and Washington, D.C., on April 10, 1972. It subsequently entered into force on March 26, 1975, after the required number of national instruments of ratification were submitted.1

This international treaty is a vital instrument for global security, as it prohibits the development, production, acquisition, and stockpiling of biological weapons for hostile purposes. By establishing a clear international norm against the use of these agents in war, the BWC serves as an essential ethical framework, even though critics note that the lack of formal verification procedures remains a significant challenge to its full enforcement.1