A regional workshop exploring the significance of the ‘Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-ban Treaty Organization,’ (CTBTO) including its future, ratification and national implementation, will be held in Ulaanbaatar from March 15 to 16. The Government of Mongolia and the Commission’s Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) will sponsor the event.

The workshop will investigate strengthening national and regional capacity and training activities within the framework of the CTBT verification regime in the region, including the International Monitoring System (IMS), the International Data Centre (IDC) and On-Site Inspections (OSI).

Organizers hope to promote understanding of the CTBT and its universality as a regional security and confidence building measure, and the work of the Commission for relevant national authorities in the region.

They plan to enhance national capabilities in implementing the Treaty and participating in the verification regime, and to promote the application of PTS data and products for tsunami warning (where applicable) and civil and scientific purposes.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to review possible benefits in applying CTBT verification technologies for civil and scientific purposes, including promoting capacity building and sharing information.

It will be a medium to exchange experiences and expertise between the PTS and relevant national agencies such as the National Data Centre (NDC), the National Authority, among others and maintain exchanges between the PTS and the States Signatories on their potential needs and capabilities in Treaty technologies.

Invited States have been encouraged to nominate two high level representatives, one from a policy making governmental institution such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Defence, legislature or Parliament) and a technical expert in the field of CTBT monitoring technologies such as an NDC scientist or a tsunami warning expert).

The PTS will provide travel, accommodation and daily subsistence allowance for the participants from eligible countries, excluding Mongolia, upon receipt of an official request from the nominating government.

Participation Forms required by all nominated participants are to be submitted to the Commission through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other competent official authority responsible for CTBT related issues with a short professional curriculum vitae, indicating the relevance of the candidate’s function to CTBT related work by February 12, 2010.

Each participant is responsible for the application and organization of their own visa requirements. Mongolia will be requested to facilitate the issuance of visas for participants.

Representatives of States in the region and other States have been invited to participate, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The workshop builds on regional and sub-regional CTBTO workshops held in Beijing, China (June 2000), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (December 2003), Nadi, Fiji (June 2003), Seoul, Republic of Korea (October 2005), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (October 2006), Manila, Philippines (June 2007), Apia, Samoa (May 2008), Melekeok, Palau (May 2009) and Bangkok, Thailand (November 2009).

Additional information is available from
Ms Elizabeth Abela Hampel
External Relations Officer,
External Relations and International Cooperation Section Legal and External Relations Division
PTS-CTBTO
Tel.: +43 1 26030 6281
Fax: +43 1 26030 5861
Email: elizabeth.abela@ctbto.org

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