Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, or CTBTO Preparatory Commission, is an international organization based in Vienna, Austria, that is tasked with building up the verification regime of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). The organization was established by the States Signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996.
The Commission's headquarters are located at the Vienna International Centre. | |
| Abbreviation | CTBTO Preparatory Commission |
|---|---|
| Formation | 19 November 1996 |
| Founded at | United Nations Headquarters, New York City |
| Type | Intergovernmental |
| Purpose | Prepare for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. |
| Headquarters | Vienna International Centre Vienna, Austria |
| Coordinates | 48.234722°N 16.416944°E |
| Fields | Nuclear disarmament |
Membership (2017) | 186 Member States |
Executive Secretary | Robert Floyd |
Budget (2018) | $128.1 million |
Staff (2018) | 278 |
| Website | ctbto.org |
Its main purpose is twofold: to promote the entry into force of the CTBT, and to establish a global verification regime in preparation for the Treaty's entry into force.
As the CTBTO Preparatory Commission is an interim organization, it will be dissolved once the CTBT enters into force and will be replaced by the CTBTO, with all its assets being transferred to the CTBTO. This change will occur at the close of the first Conference of States Parties of the CTBT, which will take place when the Treaty has entered into force. For the Treaty to enter into force, the following states need to ratify the CTBT: China, North Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States. Entry into force will occur 180 days after these states ratify the Treaty.