Media Advisory - Vienna Hosts Global Gathering of Experts at SnT2023, Shaping the Future of Nuclear Test Monitoring (19-23 June 2023)

Vienna, 24 May 2023

 
The CTBT: Science and Technology Conference 2023 (SnT2023) is set to take place from 19 to 23 June at the historic Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria.

Now in its seventh edition, the biennial Science and Technology Conference is a multidisciplinary event that serves as a premier platform for fostering collaboration and strengthening connections among more than 1000 scientists, researchers, technologists, policymakers, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Member State representatives, as well as participants from academia and civil society.

During this immersive five-day conference, attendees will engage in insightful discussions, exploring the latest advancements in research and technologies pertaining to the CTBTO's nuclear test monitoring system. The event will provide an opportunity to delve into the extensive civil and scientific applications of the data gathered by this cutting-edge regime, encompassing areas such as natural disaster prevention, marine life studies, and observations of volcanoes and icebergs.

The conference's agenda also features critical topics, including the development of the On-Site Inspection (OSI) capabilities of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’s (CTBT) verification regime, and collective efforts towards the Treaty's universalisation and entry into force.

For a comprehensive overview of the key themes, please visit the conference website. A detailed programme, complete with session information and speaker profiles, will be made available at a later date. You can also download the CTBTO Events App to receive all the latest conference news and updates. It is available for download for iOS (Apple) and Android devices. We invite you to install the App on your mobile device.

The conference will kick off with a high-level opening at 10:00 am CET on Monday, 19 June in the Hofburg. The event will include welcome remarks from CTBTO Executive Secretary, Dr Robert Floyd, keynote speeches, musical performances, and a high-level panel discussion on the CTBT’s benefits beyond nuclear testing.

Accreditation & Practical Information

Journalists and media professionals are cordially invited to register and attend the 2023 CTBT: Science and Technology Conference. To obtain access online or in-person, please register here. There is no deadline for online participation.

Registration Process for In-Person Attendance

For in-person attendance, it is highly recommended to register by close of business on Monday, 12 June. This will ensure timely processing of registrations, any necessary follow-up, and printing of conference badges.

Please also email the following details to CTBTO Public Information ([email protected]):

•    Full name
•    Job title
•    Media affiliation
•    Country

After completing the registration process, you will be provided with instructions on how to upload a passport photo for your conference badge, which is required for in-person participation. It is important to note that media accreditation badges for the Vienna International Centre (VIC) are not applicable for SnT2023.

Access Information

Access to SnT2023 is exclusively through the Heldenplatz entrance of the Hofburg Palace. Please keep this in mind when planning your arrival.

Security Requirements

For security purposes, media representatives must present their photo ID upon arrival. We kindly request that you allow extra time for checks at the entrance.

Photography and Filming

Photography and filming are permitted during the conference. To facilitate your coverage, please inform us in advance about the equipment you intend to bring.

Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi access is provided at the venue.

Interview Requests

For interview requests with keynote speakers, panellists, and other participants, please contact CTBTO Public Information ([email protected]).

Media Resources

We appreciate your interest in the CTBT: Science and Technology Conference and look forward to your valuable participation in this event.

Background

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions everywhere, by everyone, and for all time. Adherence to the Treaty is nearly universal, with 186 signatory states and 177 ratifying states. However, to enter into force the Treaty must be ratified by all 44 States listed in Annex 2, for which eight ratifications are still required. 

The CTBTO has established an International Monitoring System (IMS) to ensure that no nuclear explosion goes undetected. Currently, 303 certified facilities – of a total of 337 when complete – are operating around the world, using four main technologies: seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound and radionuclide.

The data registered by the IMS can also be used for disaster mitigation such as earthquake monitoring and tsunami warning, as well as research into fields as diverse as whale migration, climate change and the prediction of monsoon rains.

You can learn more about the Treaty and the organization at www.ctbto.org and by following @CTBTO on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

For further information, please contact

La Neice Collins
Senior Public Information Officer
T: +43 1 26030 6540
E: [email protected]