Assist. Secretary Thomas M. Countryman: Argentina and Brazil

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

November 15, 2011

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Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, Thomas Countryman, is on travel to Argentina and Brazil from November 15 to 18 to meet with senior government officials for bilateral discussions on nonproliferation issues. A key focus of this trip is the upcoming Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Review Conference, which will be held in Geneva December 5-22.

The United States is actively engaging partners around the world to ensure a productive December BWC Review Conference, that promotes the peaceful use of life sciences to enhance public health and combat infectious disease, while at the same time strengthens the international community’s ability to prevent the misuse of science to develop or use biological weapons Brazil and Argentina have an important role to play in achieving a successful BWC Review Conference. These consultations are one step in a multi-layer effort to work more closely with these two regional leaders on shared international security priorities.

Learn more about the State Department’s Nonproliferation policies and the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at: www.state.gov/t/isn

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ENDS

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