Vanuatu ratifies Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
PI/2005/20
Vanuatu has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) with the United Nations Secretary-General on 16 September 2005, bringing the total number of ratifications to 125. The number of ratifying States in the South East Asia, the Pacific and the Far East geographical region now stands at 16.
The CTBT bans all nuclear weapons test explosions. Drafted at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and adopted by the General Assembly on 10 September 1996, the Treaty was opened for signature on 24 September 1996 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
To enter into force, the CTBT must be signed and ratified by the 44 States listed in Annex 2 to the Treaty. These States formally participated in the work of the 1996 session of the Conference on Disarmament and possessed nuclear power or research reactors at that time. To date, 33 of the Annex 2 States have ratified the Treaty.
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* States whose ratification is required for entry into force.
For further information on the CTBTO, please see www.ctbto.org or contact:
Annika Thunborg, Chief, Public Information
T +43 1 26030-6375
E annika.thunborg@ctbto.org
M +43 699 1459 6375
I www.ctbto.org