Angola Reaffirms Commitment to Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Luanda:Angola has reiterated its dedication to controlling all categories of weapons and implementing international non-proliferation and disarmament treaties it is a party to. The statement was made during the Legislative Awareness Forum on the Effective Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention in Luanda. According to Angola Press News Agency, António Queirós, Secretary of State for the Protection of Strategic Targets, expressed appreciation for the support from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. He highlighted the importance of projects aimed at implementing the Biological Weapons Convention across Africa, describing them as crucial assistance for the states involved. Queirós emphasized the forum's role in fostering domestic dialogue and enhancing legal processes related to the Convention, noting that these efforts align with Angola's broader goals of promoting peace and security o n regional and international levels. In the same event, UNODA representative Remi Bacouillard praised Angola's advancements in biosafety, achieved through collaboration among defense, public health, and law enforcement sectors. Bacouillard pointed out the establishment of a unified institutional framework that centralizes responsibilities for addressing biological threats, which includes contributions from scientific and agricultural bodies. Angola's development of biosafety mechanisms, including a digital point of contact and technical exchanges with other African nations, particularly Portuguese-speaking countries, was also highlighted. Bacouillard emphasized that Angola's model is gaining recognition across the continent and within the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP).