CTBT States Signatories meet to consider
DPRK announced nuclear test
DPRK announced nuclear test
The Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Ambassador Peter Shannon of Australia, convened a meeting of States Signatories of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) earlier today. The meeting was convened in connection with the announcement by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that it had conducted an underground nuclear test on 25 May. Ambassador Shannon made the following observations after the meeting:
“At a meeting of States Signatories of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 26 May 2009, States Signatories conveyed a clear message of condemnation of the claimed nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Such a test would contravene United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 and the norm enshrined in the CTBT.
States Signatories appreciated the quick response of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the demonstrated effectiveness of the International Monitoring System (IMS). States Signatories noted the progress in the development of the verification regime, in particular, the increase in the number of IMS monitoring facilities since 2006, when the DPRK first conducted a nuclear test.
The DPRK’s action underscored the importance of the Treaty’s early entry into force and the desirability of a robust verification regime.
States Signatories urged the DPRK to adhere to its international obligations and to sign and ratify the CTBT as soon as possible.”
States Signatories appreciated the quick response of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the demonstrated effectiveness of the International Monitoring System (IMS). States Signatories noted the progress in the development of the verification regime, in particular, the increase in the number of IMS monitoring facilities since 2006, when the DPRK first conducted a nuclear test.
The DPRK’s action underscored the importance of the Treaty’s early entry into force and the desirability of a robust verification regime.
States Signatories urged the DPRK to adhere to its international obligations and to sign and ratify the CTBT as soon as possible.”
Background
The CTBT has been signed by 180 States and ratified by 148, see interactive map. For its entry into force, however, the following nine States have yet to ratify: China, DPRK, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, and the United States.
A verification regime is being built to monitor compliance with the CTBT. When complete, 337 facilities worldwide will monitor the underground, the oceans and the atmosphere for any sign of a nuclear explosion, see interactive map. To date, nearly 250 facilities have been certified and incorporated into the network, and can send data to the International Data Centre at the CTBTO in Vienna.
A verification regime is being built to monitor compliance with the CTBT. When complete, 337 facilities worldwide will monitor the underground, the oceans and the atmosphere for any sign of a nuclear explosion, see interactive map. To date, nearly 250 facilities have been certified and incorporated into the network, and can send data to the International Data Centre at the CTBTO in Vienna.
For further information, please see our special DPRK 2009 page at www.ctbto.org – your resource on stopping nuclear testing, or contact:
Annika Thunborg, Chief, Public Information
T +43 1 26030-6375
E [email protected]
M +43 699 1459 6375 Download picture or video files on the CTBTO.
T +43 1 26030-6375
E [email protected]
M +43 699 1459 6375 Download picture or video files on the CTBTO.