LOCATION
Vienna, Austria

DATES
30 November - 4 December 2026

LANGUAGE
The working language will be English

OBJECTIVES
The Workshop will:

• Facilitate interaction between Station Operators and the PTS;
• Highlight major achievements in the Operation and Maintenance of IMS stations while focusing on the necessary steps to be taken to ensure their long-term sustainment; 
• Focus on the way forward to enhance IMS station data availability, quality and its authentication;
• Update Station Operators on tools available for monitoring and assessing IMS network performance;
• Experience and challenges of network Operation and Maintenance under unforeseen circumstances.

THEMES
The main themes of the O&M 2026 Workshop will be:

1.OPERATIONS
1.1.Station operator experience in operating individual IMS stations or a network of stations
1.2.Monitoring, troubleshooting, communication and software tools
1.3.Data surety requirements and status of data authentication
1.4.Best practices for operational workflows

2.MAINTENANCE
2.1.Preventive and corrective maintenance
2.2.Documentation and knowledge management
2.3.Configuration management (CCN, CCI, etc.)
2.4.Logistical challenges and best practices
2.5.Remote technical support

3.ENHANCING DATA AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY
3.1.Power- and GCI links-related challenges
3.2.Technology refreshment and recapitalization experiences
3.3.Network QA/QC programme (results comparison for RN-P and RN-NG, PTE and SAV for laboratories, calibration for SHI, etc.)
3.4.Identifying and resolving root causes for station downtime

4.NEW TOPICS AND CHALLENGES
4.1.Performance and sustainment challenges of the auxiliary seismic network
4.2.Emerging technologies and their impact on O&M (including AI applications)

PARTICIPANTS' PROFILE
Station Operators, local operators, NDC staff, contractors and equipment suppliers involved in the operation and maintenance of the IMS. 
 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Registration and Abstract Submission Guidance

• Applicants are requested to register online at the Commission’s CTNW platform: https://ctnw.ctbto.org where abstracts can also be submitted online.
• While authors can indicate their preference for an oral or poster presentation, the final choice will be made by the Organizing Committee. By submitting an abstract, authors implicitly agree to the publication of their abstract and presentation materials by the CTBTO. Abstracts will be made available in a book of abstracts.
• No registration fee will be charged.
• States Signatories wishing to nominate experts to participate are requested to inform the Provisional Technical Secretariat (see Point of Contact) through their respective Permanent Mission.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Applicable to PTS-funded participants only

Financial support may be available to a limited number of participants. Such assistance must be requested at the time of registration and no later than 30 April 2026. Financial support will be considered only for those who have submitted an abstract. Participants are strongly encouraged to first seek travel and participation funds from non-CTBTO sources.

In accordance with the staff regulations and rules and administrative directives, the PTS will provide the following to funded participants:

• A Daily subsistence allowance (DSA) that is sufficient to cover the related expenses during the workshop program.
• The PTS travel agent will reserve, issue and forward the flight ticket to the participants for the most direct and economic route.
• Funded participants are not allowed to purchase their own tickets unless, under exceptional circumstances, be authorized
  to do so and only if this proves to be the most cost effective option for the PTS.
• The PTS will book a hotel and cover the costs for the accommodation and workshop participants will receive their remaining DSA upon arrival; and
• Health insurance will be provided that covers the duration of the workshop.

Requirement: Scanned passport copies.
 

INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

Hotels
Information about hotels and venue of the workshop will be provided at a later stage

Visas
Participants should apply for visas, if needed, at the corresponding Embassy/Consular Office upon receipt of an acceptance Note Verbale from the PTS, in order to ensure timely processing. The PTS will provide personal invitation to visa applicants.