The CTBTO's partnership with the Group of 77 continues to grow - CTBTO Executive Secretary Tibor Toth

Cooperation and consultation with the Group of 77 continues to grow, Tibor Tóth, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), has told a ceremony for its new Vienna chairperson. “Today, the Group’s efforts are needed more than any time in the past,” Tóth said, as Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh of Iran took over the chair of the Vienna chapter from Ambassador Taous Feroukhi of Algeria. The chair rotates on a yearly basis. “This is a moment when we must do our utmost to search for common solutions to our common problems in a multilateral framework. This is the best guarantee for success,” he said. The G77 Vienna chapter represents 119 Member States of the CTBTO’s 182 members making it the largest bloc in the organization. G77 CTBTO Member States host 132 of its International Monitoring System (IMS) facilities, of which 89 are certified.  The global system of 337 facilities is 80 per cent complete. The G77 was established in 1964 and has since expanded to 130 members although it retains its original name.  It was established to promote the collective economic interest and strengthen the joint negotiating capacity of its members, most of the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Tóth said a sign of cooperation with G77 members is the conclusion of meetings in half their scheduled time. “I shall ensure the continuation of this practice. We shall continue to listen. We will do our very best to work hand in hand with the Group to reach our common goals.” A growing number of G77 members are also becoming involved in the CTBTO’s Working Group B, the body that makes proposals and recommendations about verification issues to the organization. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear test explosions. It has been ratified by 153 States and signed by 182. Among G77 members all 119 have signed the Treaty and 92 of them have ratified it.