Workshop to focus on cooperation in advancing work on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, Beijing, 6-8 June 2000

A three-day Regional Workshop for CTBTO International Cooperation and National Implementation/Ratification Procedures will be held in Beijing, 6-8 June 2000, by the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Some 47 participants, from ministries of foreign affairs and parliaments as well as policy makers, decision makers and scientific experts in CTBT matters from some 22 countries of the South-East Asia, the Pacific and the Far East region, are expected to attend. The aims of the Workshop are: (a) to present an overview of Commission work in the establishment of the global verification regime to monitor compliance with the Treaty´s worldwide prohibition of nuclear weapon test explosions and other nuclear explosions; (b) to review ways and means of promoting cooperation in the region to facilitate the fullest possible exchange in the Treaty´s verification technologies; (c) to discuss how to maximize benefits that may be derived from the application of these technologies for other peaceful purposes; and (d) to support States in advancing their national processes for signature and ratification and in the implementation of the Treaty. During the three-day Workshop, the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission will outline the significance of the Treaty´s verification regime, and participants will introduce verification-related research and development activities from their their perspectives and consider proposals for promoting regional cooperation, including the establishment of regional data centres, as well as exchange information on national procedures for implementing the CTBT. A visit to the China Seismological Bureau is also scheduled.

For further information on the CTBTO, please see www.ctbto.org or contact:
Annika Thunborg, Chief, Public Information  
T    +43 1 26030-6375  
E    [email protected]
M    +43 699 1459 6375       
I    www.ctbto.org