September 2025 Edition of the GET Webinar Focused on Dual-Use Research in Africa

Africa is experiencing rapid advances in the life sciences, biotechnology, and synthetic biology, creating new opportunities to improve health, agriculture, and sustainable development. From vaccine research and genomic sequencing to agricultural biotechnology, these innovations are helping to address long-standing challenges across the continent. However, they also raise important dual-use concerns where research intended for good may be misapplied to cause harm. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines dual-use research of concern (DURC) as studies intended for beneficial outcomes that, if misused, could also cause harm. In 2022, the WHO introduced the Global Guidance Framework for the Responsible Use of the Life Sciences, offering practical governance tools that help research be conducted safely, ethically, and securely. Likewise, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), alongside WHO and UNODA, has underscored the importance of transparency and oversight in dual-use research at its 2023 Biorisks, Biosecurity and Biological Disarmament Conference. They advocate for stronger governance under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) to ensure innovation is balanced with safety and public trust. This webinar, organized by the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium (GET), convened African researchers, policymakers, ethics bodies, and international experts for a vital dialogue. The discussions focused on managing dual-use research responsibly, strengthening governance frameworks, and ensuring that scientific progress in Africa advances in ways that are both innovative and secure.