CTBT marks 30 years as States gather at NPT Review Conference
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) held a side event on 27 April 2026 on the margins of the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) at United Nations Headquarters.
The gathering, “NPT and CTBT: Galvanizing Action”, brought together diplomats, experts and observers to underline the continued importance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in its 30th anniversary year, at a time of renewed strain on the global non-proliferation and disarmament framework.
Birthdays and anniversaries are a good time to look at how far we have come, but also where we are going. One Treaty. One goal. Zero tests.
CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd speaking at event
Renewed focus in a challenging climate
During the 75-minute event, representatives of the Treaty’s States Signatories, from across different geographical regions, took the floor to reaffirm their political and technical support for the CTBT.
From political support to practical cooperation
Some speakers described how that support translates into concrete action on the ground, including through the operation of facilities of the International Monitoring System (IMS), the strengthening of National Data Centres (NDCs), and the development of national technical expertise.
Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dag Hartelius, speaking
The CTBT’s verification regime is credible, transparent and technical. It is important for confidence in the Treaty and for the momentum we need towards entry into force. We need more, not less, verification and trust-building.
Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Pawaree Xuto Chaipatiyut, highlighted the practical value of monitoring data, particularly in regions vulnerable to natural hazards.
The International Monitoring System helps distinguish between a nuclear explosion and an earthquake, reducing the risk of misinterpretation and miscalculation. It also contributes to tsunami warnings and early earthquake warning systems. This work is practical, and it is life-saving.
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand to United Nations, Pawaree Xuto Chaipatiyut, making statement
Permanent Representative of Panama to UN, New York, Eloy Alfaro de Alba, addressing event
Linking CTBT and NPT
Others focused on the close relationship between the CTBT and the NPT, whose month-long Review Conference had brought many of the participants to the UN.
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite, recalled Australia’s role in negotiating the CTBT and said the links between the two treaties “run deep”.
Australia knows the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons testing, as do our neighbours. The CTBT is one of the strongest pillars of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and the importance of a legally binding norm against testing is now more urgent than ever.
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, Matt Thistlethwaite, making remarks at event
Permanent Representative of Ghana to UN, New York, Sam Kumah, making statement
The CTBT and NPT are directly linked. The NPT preamble recalls the aim of achieving “the discontinuance of all test explosions of nuclear weapons for all time” and calls for ongoing negotiations to achieve this goal. The CTBT turns that objective into a global ban, prohibiting “any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion.”
Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to UN and President-designate of 11th Review Conference of NPT, Hung Viet Do, addressing event
CTBTO Senior Liaison Officer, Charles Oko, moderating side event
Looking ahead to CTBT’s 30th anniversary
As the discussion closed, participants pointed to the need to sustain political momentum and deepen practical cooperation in support of the Treaty. Three decades after its opening for signature, the CTBT remains central to efforts to prevent nuclear test explosions and strengthen global peace and security.
The CTBTO is planning additional events later this year in New York and Vienna, among others, to mark the Treaty’s 30th anniversary, keeping attention on the progress made, the challenges ahead, and the responsibility to bring the CTBT into force.
29 Apr 2026
Flickr Album: NPT Review Conference 2026
