Joint Statement: US-UK Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security
On 16 January the United States and the United Kingdom announced a Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security.
Building on the June 10, 2021 New Atlantic Charter and the June 8, 2023 Atlantic Declaration on Economic Security, the U.S. National Security Council and the UK Cabinet Office today announce a new Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security.
Underpinned by the UK Biological Security Strategy and the U.S. National Biodefense Strategy, this Strategic Dialogue reflects a shared ambition to bolster future health and economic resilience against a growing and diverse spectrum of biological threats.
The Strategic Dialogue reaffirms both nations’ commitment to increase collaboration in the following ways:
- Develop a shared understanding of research and development (R&D) needs at the onset of new disease outbreaks, allowing for improved responsiveness by shaping global R&D efforts and supporting early technology assessments.
- Adopt a One Health approach to biosurveillance and biological threat detection, in support of international efforts to develop stronger and more interconnected global surveillance capabilities.
- Pursue the development of new tools and methodologies for microbial forensics and attribution.
- Promote responsible innovation in the biotechnology, health, and life sciences sectors, shaping global norms and standards on biosafety and biosecurity while simultaneously protecting burgeoning bio-economies.
- Facilitate the development of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics, in line with the 100-Days Mission vision supported by G7 leaders in Carbis Bay in 2021 and reaffirmed at the 2023 G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
- Strengthen coordination of efforts to counter biological threats, including developing joint measures to address Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention compliance.
US National Security Council
UK Cabinet Office
16 January 2024