Programs & Projects

Global Biological Policy & Programs (NTI | Bio)

About

Biological threats – whether natural, accidental or deliberate — can kill millions, cost billions, and create political and economic instability in individual countries and around the world. The risks and consequences of a global catastrophic biological event can be magnified by weak global health security, increasing urbanization and travel, growing terrorist interest in weapons of mass destruction, and rapid advances in technology that enable newly developed or manipulated pathogens with pandemic potential.

To reduce these risks and strengthen biosecurity, NTI | bio works with governments, industry, academia, international organizations and NGOs to foster multilateral dialogue, identify weaknesses, and promote systemic change to improve biotechnology governance and national health security capacities.

NTI offers solutions through a range of projects. Among them:

  • Global Health Security Index: Launched in 2019, the GHS Index is the first comprehensive assessment of the health security capacities of 195 countries. The second edition, now in development, will be released in December.
  • Global Biological Catastrophic Risks: NTI | bio’s multi-faceted work in this area includes building a stronger case for decision-makers to prioritize action to counter catastrophic biological risks; establishing new forums focused on preventing the development and use of biological weapons by powerful actors; strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention; and developing innovative solutions for early detection and rapid response.
  • Global Biosecurity Dialogue: To identify way to advance international biosecurity — and measure those advances — NTI | bio brings together senior officials from ministries of foreign affairs, health, defense, agriculture and other relevant sectors to build cross-border collaboration; increase the number of countries providing national, regional, or global financial and technical support to strengthen biosecurity; and promote new actions and investments among senior officials to mitigate emerging biological risks.

Projects

Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative

Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative

Advances in biotechnology outpace national governments’ ability to provide needed oversight to prevent accidents or deliberate misuse of dangerous biological agents.

Global Health Security Index

Global Health Security Index

The GHS Index highlights individual country needs, boost compliance with international standards, and create better understanding of global capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to biological threats.

News & Analysis



Seventh Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Open for Applications

News

Seventh Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Open for Applications

NTI | bio, the Next Generation for Global Health Security (GHS) Network, the iGEM Foundation, 80,000 Hours, SynBio Africa, and the Global Health Security Network (GHSN) have launched the seventh Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition.


Biosecurity Takes the Main Stage at SynBioBeta 2023

News

Biosecurity Takes the Main Stage at SynBioBeta 2023

NTI | bio played a key role in shaping and leading biosecurity discussions at the event, including through events that highlighted the importance of protecting bioscience and biotechnology advances so society can reap their benefits, while guarding against accidental or deliberate misuse.



See All Analysis on Biological

Close

My Resources