The Status of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: Signatories and Ratifiers

Press Contact: Daryl Kimball, Executive Director, (202) 463-8270 x107

Despite over 10 years of global efforts to promote the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the treaty’s enactment appears a long way off.

President George H. W. Bush signed into law the unilateral declaration to forego full-scale nuclear weapons testing October 2, 1992. The United States signed the CTBT on September 24, 1996, the day it opened for signature, but the Senate dealt a severe blow to the near-term prospects for U.S. participation when it refused to provide its advice and consent October 13, 1999. The current Bush administration has refused to ask the Senate to reconsider the treaty but has said it will observe the moratorium.

The CTBT will formally enter into force after 44 designated “nuclear-capable states” have deposited their instruments of ratification with the UN secretary-general. To date, 178 states have signed and 144 have ratified the treaty. Yet of the 44 specified countries, India, Pakistan, and North Korea still have not signed, and only 35 have ratified the treaty.

The following chart identifies the treaty’s signatories and ratifiers as of February 11, 2008. States whose ratification is required for the treaty to take effect are shaded.

Total Signatories: 178
Total Ratifiers: 144