Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

The Provisional Technical Secretariat of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO PrepCom) has been operational in Vienna since March 1997. It carries out the necessary preparation for the effective implementation of the Treaty, and prepares for its entry into force. Upon signing the Treaty, a state becomes a member of the Preparation Commission. Austria has been a member of the CTBTO PrepCom since 24th March 1996. Member States oversee the work of the Preparatory Commission and fund its activities.

Its main task is to build up the Treaty’s global network of 321 monitoring stations, 16 radionuclide laboratories and an International Data Centre in Vienna. The only component of the international verification system in Austria is the radionuclide laboratory at Seibersdorf, which will analyse radionuclide samples. It was the first of the 16 laboratories worldwide to be officially certified, and started operating in December 2001.

The Treaty

The comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, and was opened for signature in New York on 24th September 1996. It is a cornerstone of the international regime on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Its total ban of any nuclear weapon test explosion will constrain the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and end the development of advanced new types of these weapons. The Treaty will enter into force after it has been ratified by the States listed in its Annex 2.