UNIDIR, in collaboration with the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC-ISU) at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), is organizing a series of online technical briefs on emerging technologies and the BWC.
This session focused on artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools for molecular design and biological engineering – areas advancing at a rapid pace. It examined their current capabilities, potential dual-use risks, evolving international policy responses and implications for strengthening the BWC. The session included a conversation-style expert panel where the panelists provided recommendations on the topic, followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment with the audience.
Event recording
Speakers
- Dr Cassidy Nelson, Director of Biosecurity Policy, the Centre for Long-Term Resilience
- Dr Sana Zakaria, Senior Research Leader for Science and Emerging Tech, RAND Europe
- Geoffrey Otim, Founder and CEO, SynBio Africa
- Dr Yensi Flores Bueso, Postdoctoral Fellow, University College Cork; and UN Secretary General’s Science Advisor
Moderated by Dr Clarissa Rios Rojas, Political Affairs Officer at the BWC-ISU, UNODA
When and where
Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 13:15 – 14:45 CET, online.
Further information
For further information, please contact Dr Clarissa Rios Rojas at clarissa.riosrojas@un.org.
In partnership with
