LOCATION
Cairo, Egypt

DATES
13-17 December 2026

LANGUAGE
The working language will be Arabic
 

OBJECTIVES

1. Practice the whole workflow of event analysis from initial detection to national reporting.
2. Demonstrate the utility of IMS data, national data, and fusion methods in a verification context.
3. Strengthen regional cooperation and data exchange between NDCs.
4. To harmonize the approaches of States' Signatories participating in and benefiting from the CTBT verification system.
    

AGENDA

Day 1 | Interactive Event Analysis

• NDCs receive a simulated waveform-based event alert (SEL1 product).
• Each NDC will present their preliminary analysis using NDC-in-a-Box and IDC products.
• Analysts validate waveform parameters, determine location, depth, magnitude, mb:Ms Ratio
  and compare against historical seismicity.
• Participants enrich analysis using national data (if available) and initiate exchanges with other NDCs.

Day 2 | Continued Analysis & Regional Collaboration

• NDCs simulate formal requests to neighboring NDCs for national data access.
• Regional data exchange occurs under a simulated protocol.
• Iterative analysis leads to progressive refinement of event results.

Day 3 – Field Trip (Optional, TBC)

Day 4 |  Radionuclide Analysis & Atmospheric Transport Modelling

• NDCs prioritize review of radionuclide particulate and noble gas (xenon) station data for the event using the IDC products and  Fusion methods.
• NDCs process particulate and Noble gas spectra with NDC-in-a-Box and compare generated reports to IDC products for verification.
• WebGrape tools are demonstrated to model atmospheric dispersion.

Day 5 | Fusion Products & Final National Advisories

• IDC screening criteria and fusion methods are presented.
• NDCs consolidate all inputs into a draft technical advisory for their national authority.
• Final discussion on lessons learned and peer review of conclusions.
   

PARTICIPANT PROFILE
NDCs are encouraged to nominate one participant for SHI data and one participant for RN data. 

• NDC technical and managerial staff and analysts, preferably IDC Authorized Users.
• Technical staff with an advanced degree who operate or have access to regional and/or local monitoring networks based on any or multiple IMS Technologies (Seismic, Hydroacoustic, Infrasound, Radionuclide).
• Experience in data analysis of any of the IMS Technologies
• Involvement in nuclear test ban verification.
• Understanding of computer-based systems (basic knowledge of the Linux operating system and SQL is desirable).
  
   

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The deadline for application to the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) is 30 September 2026

Arabic-speaking NDC technical and managerial staff are invited to register online at the Commission’s CTNW platform -  https://ctnw.ctbto.org - by the deadline. 

State Signatories wishing to nominate experts are requested to inform the Provisional Technical Secretariat (see Point of Contact) through their respective Permanent Mission by the deadline set for application. 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Applicable to PTS-funded participants only

In accordance with the Staff regulations and rules and Administrative Directives, the Secretariat will provide the following:

• A Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) sufficient to cover related expenses during the workshop programme; 
• The PTS travel agent will reserve, issue and forward the flight ticket to participants for the most direct and economic route;
• Funded participants are not permitted to purchase their own tickets unless, under exceptional circumstances, they are authorized to do so and only if this proves to be more cost-efficient for the PTS;
• The PTS will arrange a hotel accommodation and cover the associated costs; and
• Health insurance will be provided for the duration of the workshop.

Requirement: Scanned copy of a valid passport.
 

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Visa Requirements
Participants requiring a visa are advised to apply at the relevant Embassy or Consular Office as soon as they receive the official acceptance Note Verbale from the PTS, to allow sufficient time for visa processing.