Liaison to Encourage Treaty Ratification

In an effort to promote the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), CTBT members have decided to designate one country to act as a liaison between the ratifiers and the countries whose ratifications are needed for the treaty to become legally binding.

Under the plan approved during the Third Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the CTBT Sept. 3-5 in Vienna, CTBT ratifiers will select a state responsible for coordinating efforts and may appoint a special representative to assist the state in its new role. The coordinator’s efforts will focus on securing ratifications from the remaining “nuclear capable” states that need to join the pact in order for its provisions to become binding, including China, India, North Korea, Pakistan, and the United States.

Conference attendees also recommended soliciting additional contributions for a trust fund to support the new outreach efforts. Daniela Rozgonova, spokeswoman for the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, said the proposal will be further developed before it is brought to the member states for approval, which could happen as soon as the next CTBTO plenary meeting on Nov. 10-14.

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