CTBTO Mourns Passing of Ambassador Wolfgang Hoffmann, First Executive Secretary

Vienna, 11 September 2025 – The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) announces with deep sadness the passing of Ambassador Wolfgang Hoffmann, its first Executive Secretary. Hoffmann, a veteran German diplomat, led the CTBTO Preparatory Commission from 1997 to 2005 and was instrumental in building the foundations of the Organization as it stands today. The CTBTO community is paying tribute to his unwavering dedication to a world free of nuclear testing, which continued long after his tenure as Executive Secretary. 
 
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ambassador Hoffmann. His visionary leadership and tireless dedication built the solid foundations of the CTBTO as it stands today, and he set the standard for all to follow,” the current Executive Secretary, Robert Floyd, said. 
 
Floyd extended his heartfelt condolences to Ambassador Hoffmann’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He encouraged the international community to honour Hoffmann’s memory by “reaffirming our shared commitment to the values he championed: peace, security, and international cooperation.” 
 
During his leadership, Ambassador Hoffmann set in motion the Treaty’s verification regime, from the first monitoring facilities of the International Monitoring System (IMS) and the International Data Centre (IDC) to the framework for on-site inspections (OSI), achievements that continue to underpin the CTBTO today. He also put in place the organizational structure of the CTBTO, guiding a fledgling international body into a fully functional institution. 

Even after leaving office, Ambassador Hoffmann remained a tireless advocate for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and its mission. He continued to lend his expertise and voice to the cause.
 
Hoffmann actively participated in the CTBTO’s Science and Technology conferences, engaging with scientists and young professionals; notably, he attended SnT2019 in Vienna, where he joined inter-generational dialogues on the CTBT’s future. He was especially passionate about fostering exchanges with the next generation of CTBT experts, reflecting his belief in educating and inspiring future stewards of the Treaty.