Advancing CTBT Ratification in Comoros

The National Assembly of the Union of Comoros addressed the political and technical aspects of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) as part of the country’s steps toward ratification. An initiative of Comoros President of National Assembly, Abdou Ousseini, the first seminar on the CTBT, held on 6 December 2018 in Moroni, was an essential step to raise awareness of the importance to ratify CTBT.

Executive Secretary with Abdou Ousseini President of the National Assembly of the Union of Comoros

This seminar will be a milestone in our legislature; a legislature that can boast of being the one that will have authorized by its vote, the ratification of the CTBT after nearly two decades.

Abdou Ousseni,President of the National Assembly of the Union of Comoros

More than 150 officials from the government, the National Assembly, the national army, the diplomatic community and the civil society attended the seminar.

Parliamentarian Mohamed Rachadi Abdou (left), Executive Secretary, Mohamed Ahmed Assoumani, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Abdallah Mirghane, Director of Cabinet of the Foreign Minister

Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo delivered a keynote address where he underlined the urgency of the entry into force of the Treaty and its universalisation. He urged the Union of Comoros to move forward with the Treaty’s ratification, thus sending a strong message to the international community and making its voice heard on non-proliferation and international security issues.

Clôture du Séminaire Parlementaire sur la ratification du #TICE / Union du Parlement des Comores

The Union of Comoros, a land whose motto – Unity, Solidarity, Development – resonates as a commitment to humanity, does not have the right to stand on the margins of debates on issues of an existential nature. This is why I remain convinced that Comoros will become the next state to ratify the CTBT.

Lassina Zerbo CTBTO Executive Secretary

Addressing the audience, Abdou Ousseni made a strong case for the CTBT, encouraging the Parliamentarians to engage with no further delay in the ratification process of the Treaty. “Today, all agree that we cannot reasonably speak of peace and security at the international level with the sword of Damocles of the nuclear threat above our heads", explained the President of the Parliament.

Executive Secretary with Comoros Officials

This commitment of the Union of Comoros was also shared by Djoumoi Said Abdallah, Secretary of State for International Cooperation. He underscored that the Government will spare no effort and will use its plea before the National Assembly to seek the vote of elected officials to ratify the CTBT as soon as possible.

Mariama Madi, data manager and seismic analyst, National Data Centre of Comoros

The Comorian Government, with its convictions for Peace and Security, will deploy its efforts for a rapid ratification of the CTBT.

Djoumoi Said Abdallah,Secretary of State for International Cooperation

To complete the seminar, Mariama Madi from the Comoros National Data Centre, the National Centre for Documentation and Scientific Research (CNDRS), gave an extensive presentation on the verification system, its civil and scientific applications and of the capacity building programme of the CTBTO.

Djoumoi Said Abdallah, Secretary of State for International Cooperation

Mohamed Daoudou, Minister of Interior in charge of relations with the institutions

While in the Union of Comoros, the Executive Secretary met with high ranking officials of the government, including: Youssoufa Mohamed Ali, Chief of Staff to the President of the Union in Charge of Defence; Mohamed Daoudou, Minister of Interior in charge of relations with the institutions; and Mohamed Ahmed Assoumani, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Government officials stated their strong support for the CTBT as demonstrated with the signature of the Treaty in 1996 and shared their interest in enhancing cooperation with the CTBTO to develop national capacity in particular for volcano surveillance and tsunami-warning systems.

Visit of the Comoros National Data Centre, the CNDRS

Executive Secretary with the students of the University of Comoros

Zerbo also visited the National Data Centre of the Union of Comoros, the CNDRS, and met with students of the University of Comoros.

With Ms M. Mariama

11 Dec 2018

Advancing CTBT Ratification in Comoros

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