COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST-BAN TREATY (CTBT)

• The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans nuclear weapon test explosions and any other nuclear explosions.
• Unlike the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963, which banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, underwater and in space, the CTBT bans nuclear weapon test explosions anywhere.
• The treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution 50/245 on 10 September 1996 and opened for signature on 24 September 1996.
• The last Annex 2 State to ratify the Treaty was Indonesia on 6 February 2012.

Need for the CTBT

• Over 2000 nuclear explosions were recorded between July 1945 when the first nuclear bomb was tested by the United States and 1996 when the CTBT banning such explosions was opened for signature.
• These nuclear tests were undertaken by the United States (1000+), the Soviet Union (700+), France (200+), the United Kingdom and China (45 each).
• Since the CTBT was opened for signature, three countries have tested nuclear weapons explosive devices: India and Pakistan in 1998, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 and 2017.

Enforcement of CTBT

• While the CTBT has been nearly universally accepted, it has yet to enter into force.
• So far, 185 countries have signed the Treaty, of which 170 have also ratified it, including three nuclear-weapon States: France, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom.
• Before the CTBT can enter into force, however, 44 countries listed in Annex 2 of the Treaty, must sign and ratify it. Of these, eight have yet to do so: DPRK, India and Pakistan, which have not yet signed the Treaty, while China, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the United States have not ratified it.
• The CTBT will enter into force when all States listed in Annex 2 of the Treaty have signed and ratified it.

CTBT Resolutions

• To mark the 20th anniversary of the opening for signature of the CTBT, on 23 September 2016, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2310.
• The resolution urges all States that have yet to sign or ratify the CTBT to do so immediately and uphold their moratoriums on nuclear testing.

Implementation of the Treaty

• Article II establishes the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), which ensures treaty implementation and provides states-parties with a forum for consultation and cooperation. 
• It works in collaboration with, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).