An informal forum through which industrialised nations coordinate their export controls to curb proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. So-called because its first meeting took place at the Australian Embassy in Paris in June 1986. Members include Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, the members of the European Union, and several other countries.
The group has developed a list of precursors useful for chemical weapons development, along with control on certain biological organisms and on equipment useful in producing chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents. The members of the group also share information concerning the activities of non-member countries where proliferation is a concern, including information on who is seeking chemical precursors and related items for CBW purposes.