The Project for the CTBT aims to support and coordinate the work of NGOs and policy, scientific and security experts in order to provide the public and policy-makers with sound information and analysis about the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The following updates provide news and analyses on the status of the treaty and work of the CTBT Organization. To receive these by email, subscribe to our regular updates list.
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Punggye-ri Test Site Damaged, But Still Useable, Experts Contend
May 2, 2018
Two different teams of Chinese geologists reported that North Korea’s sixth nuclear test damaged the mountain over the Punggye-ri test site, which North Korea promised to shut down in May. Neither research team concluded that the mountain damage rendered the site unusable, despite recent media reports to the contrary.
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Five Chinese Test Detection Stations Certified
March 9, 2018
In just twelve months, China has certified its first five International Monitoring System (IMS) stations, of the twelve it is treaty-bound to certify in order to realize the completion of the global nuclear test detection system managed by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
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NPR Rejects CTBT Ratification; NNSA Shortens Testing Readiness Timeline
February 4, 2018
The Trump administration’s new Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) asserts that “the United States does not support the ratification of the CTBT,” even though the United States and 182 other nations have signed the treaty, and even though there is no technical need to resume nuclear testing.
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Notable Read: "Utilizing Article XIV Conferences to Boost the Two Norms that Matter Most"
January 5, 2018
Michael Krepon, co-founder of the Stimson Center, highlights the importance of the norms against nuclear use and testing in a January 4 blog post.
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Notable Read: "How Young People Are Trying to Stop Nuclear Weapons Testing"
January 2, 2018
Sarah Bidgood, senior research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, and Susan le Jeune d’Allegeerschecque, British High Commissioner to Canada, extol the value of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization Youth Group in an editorial published on January 1 in Teen Vogue.
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US Abstains on CTBT at UNGA First Committee
December 7, 2017
The United States appeared to walk back its support for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) at the 2017 UN General Assembly First Committee, which discusses disarmament issues.
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Final NDAA Restricts CTBTO Funding
November 17, 2017
The final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which President Donald Trump is expected to sign into law includes an amendment restricting the U.S. contribution for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), except for funds related to the International Monitoring System.
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2017 Article XIV Conference
September 21, 2017
At the 10th Article XIV Conference aimed at moving the CTBT towards entry into force, the United States and several other “Annex II” states that need to ratify the treaty for it to enter into force remained silent.
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North Korea's Sixth Nuclear Test
September 4, 2017
North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test, which some experts assessed to be a test of a hydrogen bomb, on September 3. At a magnitude of 6.1, according to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, the test was North Korea’s most powerful to date.
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The Nuclear Ban Treaty and the CTBT
September 1, 2017
The new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) includes a provision prohibiting nuclear testing, but some questions have emerged about the relationship of the new treaty to the CTBT.