Article 5
In order to support the review and strengthening of the intersessional programme, the Union shall in particular: (a) support the following topics for a new intersessional programme, either as intersessional topics or through dedicated working groups, or both: (i) national implementation and compliance; (ii) further work on CBMs following the Eighth Review Conference; (iii) assistance and cooperation under Article VII of the BTWC; (iv) developments in science and technology; (v) review of the Consultative Committee procedure; (vi) universalisation as proposed in Article 6; (b) support the development of national regulatory frameworks on bio-safety and bio-security; although appropriate standards for bio-safety and bio-security for laboratories are not in any way a substitute for a compliance regime, the adoption and promotion of such standards can help individual States Parties in the long term with the implementation of their obligations under the BTWC; they could also be a useful tool, along with other measures, to help demonstrate compliance; discussion on this subject, including with relevant laboratories, biosafety-associations and industry, could be part of a new intersessional work programme; (c) support voluntary peer review exercises involving States Parties in the context of the BTWC; the objective of a peer review exercise is to improve national implementation and to provide reassurance on compliance by means of information exchanges and enhanced transparency regarding, for instance, capabilities, activities and actions for implementation and intentions towards compliance; (d) support the reinforcement of the decisional power of the Intersessional Process by exploring a range of options such as clearly defined decision-making powers for specific areas of work.