Related treaties
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) was established in 1996 to lay the groundwork for the implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Preparatory Commission is tasked with promoting the Treaty’s universality and establishing a global verification regime to monitor compliance with the comprehensive ban on nuclear testing.71
Part of the CTBTO efforts focus on the promotion of the signing and ratification of the CTBT, which requires the ratification of all 44 states listed in Annex 2, as well as preparing for the first meeting of the Conference of States Parties, once the Treaty has entered into force.
In terms of its organizational structure, the Preparatory Commission is composed of two main organs. The first is the Plenary Body, composed of all the States Signatories. It is assisted by three groups: Working Group A on budgetary and administrative matters; Working Group B on verification issues; and the Advisory Group, which provides guidance on finance, budgetary and related administrative matters.72 The working groups can make proposals and recommendations to the Preparatory Commission.
The second organ is the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS), tasked with assisting the establishment of the global verification regime. The PTS is composed of five divisions, three of which are technical: the International Monitoring System Division; the International Data Centre Division; the On-site inspection Division; the Legal and External Relations Division; and the Division of Administration.73
Once the CTBT enters into force, the Preparatory Commission will be replaced by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Ratifying States will become States Parties, and the PTS will transition into the Technical Secretariat. Two new governing bodies will be established—the Conference of the States Parties and the Executive Council. The Executive Secretary will assume the title of Director-General74. A Review Conference will be held every ten years75.
The purpose of the CTBTO once the Treaty enters into force will be to serve as the central multilateral body for addressing compliance concerns, in accordance with Article IV of the CTBT. It will facilitate procedures for consultation and clarification among States Parties, and provide a structured forum for resolving disputes—either through internal mechanisms such as negotiation, peaceful means chosen by the parties, engagement with the Executive Council or the Conference of the States Parties, or, if necessary, through recourse to the International Court of Justice as stipulated in Article VI76. In addition, the CTBTO will oversee the Treaty’s verification regime, including the conduct of on-site inspections77.