Strengthening On-site Inspection Leadership

Nuclear non-proliferation continues to be critically important. Robust verification mechanisms are necessary to monitor compliance and detect violations, as outlined in the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. One way the international community works towards this common goal is through large-scale verification activities, such as Integrated Field Exercise (IFE). IFE contributes to maintaining global security, bringing together surrogate inspectors from State Signatories to test and validate  on-site inspection (OSI) capabilities, methods and techniques. These exercises underscore the importance of international cooperation and transparency, as they aim to build mutual trust and ensure peaceful verification processes. 

CTBTO’s OSI Division continuously provide surrogate inspectors with opportunities for skill enhancement ahead of the forthcoming IFE. The newly developed IFE Inspection Team (IT) Leadership Reporting course, conducted from 17 till 20 June in Vienna, Austria, welcomed 13 trainees from 10 States Signatories representing four geographical regions. 

This specialised course had a strong emphasis on one of the most important responsibilities of the leadership surrogate inspector teams: preparing key OSI reports. These include the progress inspection report, preliminary findings document, and the inspection report - all mandatory under the Treaty.

Blending theory and practice, this module offered an in-depth exploration of the CTBT and the OSI Operational Manual guidelines for inspection report preparation. Through a series of hands-on exercises, participants developed a thorough understanding of procedural requirements and acquired the practical skills necessary to produce high-quality reports during both the inspection and post-inspection phases

In addition to mastering OSI reporting, participants also received hands-on training in negotiation - an essential skill for daily interactions with representatives of the Inspected State Party (ISP). The participants were exposed to the various scenarios at the Point of Entry (POE) - the official arrival site for the Inspection Team at the ISP. These exercises included critical discussions such as determining the location of the Base of Operations, organising logistical and operational support, and planning initial inspection activities. 

The hands-on exercises with ISP representatives served as a dynamic finale to both the reporting and negotiation modules. Participants were exposed to a variety of communication and negotiation styles which simulate the complexities of on-site inspections through simulated POE procedures and the hand-over of the Preliminary Findings document. 

By integrating technical tools with practical training, the IFE IT Leadership Reporting Course added yet another essential piece to the puzzle, deepening participants’ understanding of IT responsibilities and Treaty - mandated OSI procedures. From initial engagement at the POE to the final exchange of OSI findings, the course offered a comprehensive view of the vital IT–ISP interactions, further strengthening the OSI Inspection Team capabilities.