Upholding the CTBT Regime in a Time of Adversity

As with other critical nuclear risk reduction and arms control agreements, the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is under threat due to inattention, diplomatic inaction, and worsening relations between nuclear-armed adversaries.

Disturbingly, but not surprisingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill from the Russian parliament to “un-ratify” the CTBT, ostensibly to “mirror” the United States’ posture toward the treaty and somehow pressure the United States to ratify the pact.

Opening remarks from:

• Dr. Robert Floyd, executive secretary of the CTBT Organization (CTBTO)

Followed by expert panelists:

• Elena Chernenko, head of the international section at the Kommersant newspaper in Moscow, where she focuses on nonproliferation and arms control issues. She is also a member of the German-Russian-U.S. Experts Commission on Deep Cuts in nuclear arsenals.
• María Antonieta Jáquez Huacuja, counselor, Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, which is a co-sponsor of the resolution in support of the CTBT at the 78th UN General Assembly.
• Daryl G. Kimball, executive director, Arms Control Association, veteran campaigner to end nuclear testing and advance the CTBT.
• Shannon Bugos, senior policy analyst, Arms Control Association, moderator

Additional Resources

• Reducing Tensions Over Nuclear Testing at Very Low Yield
  By Julien de Troulliou de Lanversin, Christopher Fichtlscherer and Frank N. von Hippel
  in the November 2023 Arms Control Today
  
  Given rising nuclear tensions involving China, Russia, and the United States, it is imperative that key states discuss a new transparency and verification regime for very low-yield nuclear tests.
   

• Russia, the CTBT, and International Law
  By David A. Koplow
  in the November 2023 Arms Control Today

  Even after withdrawing its ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Russia would still be obligated to refrain from nuclear testing.

• Managing an Arsenal Without Nuclear Testing
  An Interview with Jill Hruby of the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration
  in the December 2023 Arms Control Today
  
  The NNSA administrator affirms confidence in the U.S. stockpile and advocates more transparency among nuclear-weapon states.
   
• The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty At A Glance
  ACA Fact Sheet
  
  The treaty was opened for signature in September 1996, and has been signed by 187 nations and ratified by 178. The treaty cannot formally enter into force until it is ratified by 44 specific nations, eight of which have yet to do so.