WOAH to host Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction in Geneva

SWITZERLAND – The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) will convene international experts in Geneva, Switzerland, from 28 to 30 October 2025 for its third Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction, an event aimed at strengthening global preparedness against biological risks that threaten human, animal and environmental health.

Held at the CICG Conference Center, the three-day meeting will gather around 400 participants representing animal and public health authorities, law enforcement, academia, research institutions, regional and international organisations, and the private sector. 

The conference will be held under the theme of advancing cooperation across sectors to mitigate biological threats in an increasingly interconnected world.

“Against the backdrop of an uncertain future, WOAH believes that synergies between sectors can drive positive change, making the world a safer and healthier place,” the organisation said in a statement announcing the event.

As the risk of the misuse of animal pathogens continues to rise due to rapid advances in biotechnology and greater accessibility, the conference will spotlight collective approaches to prevent, detect and respond to biological threats. 

WOAH notes that deliberate or accidental events, whether disease outbreaks, laboratory accidents or environmental emergencies, can have profound impacts on global security, food systems and economies.

To address these risks, WOAH continues to advocate for a One Health approach, bridging expertise from health, security and research sectors. This year’s conference builds on the organisation’s century-long mission to protect animal health worldwide and follows its 100th anniversary celebrations in 2024.

Supported by funding from Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program, the event also enjoys partnerships with the European Union, the Swiss Confederation, and the UK International Biosecurity Programme.

Key sessions and expert participation

The conference programme will explore a wide range of topics, including deliberate biological threats, sustainable laboratory systems, the implications of emerging technologies, and new approaches to surveillance and diagnostics. 

Sessions will also address advocacy and investment strategies, sustainable emergency management, and the strengthening of global frameworks for biological threat reduction.

Distinguished chairs and speakers include Professor Wanda Markotter, Co-Chair of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP); Clarissa Rios, from the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit; Dr. Fanny Ewann of INTERPOL’s Bioterrorism Prevention Unit; and Dr. Kamran Khan, founder of BlueDot and infectious disease expert at the University of Toronto, among others.

Participants are also invited to present their work through a Poster Session, to be showcased during the opening cocktail on 28 October. The session will feature innovative tools, approaches and research outcomes that advance biological threat reduction.

A call for collective action

WOAH emphasises that addressing biological risks requires sustained collaboration, investment and innovation. 

By bringing together decision-makers, scientists and security professionals, the Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction aims to catalyse coordinated global action.

“This year’s conference offers a timely opportunity to explore the ever-evolving landscape of biological threats by learning from the past and preparing for the future,” WOAH stated.

For more information, find the full programme here.

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