Bi-Weekly Treaty Review Featured Story

CTBTO PrepCom 15th Anniversary

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization’s (CTBTO) Preparatory Commission (PrepCom). The United States congratulates the PrepCom for its hard work since its inception in carrying out the necessary preparations for the effective implementation of the treaty once it enters into force.

The CTBT calls for the establishment of a worldwide network of 321 monitoring stations utilizing a variety of technologies to detect and identify an event as a possible nuclear explosion conducted in violation of the treaty. Since its establishment, the Preparatory Commission has worked closely with Signatory States to build this International Monitoring System (IMS), which is now over 82 percent complete and already showing its utility. Complemented by our own excellent National Technical Means, this worldwide system can verify compliance with the CTBT and detect violations of it.

A global ban on nuclear explosive testing benefits the security of all nations and is central to leading the world toward a diminished reliance on nuclear weapons, reduced nuclear competition, and eventual nuclear disarmament. As the United States continues to lay the groundwork for its own ratification process, we call on all governments to declare or reaffirm their commitment not to conduct explosive nuclear tests, and encourage all States that have not done so to sign and ratify the treaty.

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