“To enhance diplomatic engagement on international biotechnology and biosecurity matters.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section directs the Secretary of State to advance U.S. foreign policy goals on international biodefense, biosecurity, and biotechnology cooperation with allies and partners. It requires pursuing enhanced biodefense cooperation within NATO—including policy prioritization in biotechnology, biosurveillance, and countermeasures; NATO policy revisions; interoperability strengthening; and promotion of biological research standards—and similar cooperation with allies and partners, including major non-NATO allies, export control coordination on dual-use biotechnology items, and Biological Weapons Convention enforcement. The section further requires development of (1) a NATO Biodefense Strategy assessing current cooperation, identifying gaps, providing recommendations, and evaluating interagency coordination; and (2) an International Biotechnology, Biosecurity, and Biodefense Cooperation Strategy with proposals for expanded commitments, export control assessments beyond existing regimes, and recommendations for using Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related (NADR) programs; both strategies limited to threats posed by biological agents and toxins as defined in 18 U.S.C. 178. Finally, it requires submission of a report containing both strategies to the appropriate congressional committees within 270 days of enactment.