The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (henceforth referred to as “the Commission”) was established on 19 November 1996 by a Resolution adopted by the Meeting of States Signatories at the United Nations in New York.

Article II of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) provides for the establishment of a Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization to achieve the aims of the Treaty, ensure its implementation and to serve as a forum for its members. Since the activities will be very extensive and must be fully operational when the Treaty enters into force, the States signing the Treaty decided that it was necessary to establish an interim organisation - a Preparatory Commission. This Commission would lay the groundwork required and build up the global verification regime to monitor compliance with the Treaty.