Keynote by Executive Secretary Zerbo to EU Non-Proliferation & Disarmament Conference 2016

CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo delivered a keynote address to the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference 2016 on 4 November in Brussels, Belgium. It covered a wide range of topical nuclear issues including: next steps for the international community following North Korea’s announced nuclear test in September; to the recent Security Council resolution 2310 on nuclear testing.  Responding to claims that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) had become a zombie, Zerbo retorted the Treaty "was very much alive." A particular case in point is the International Monitoring System, Zerbo said.  With 166 countries having ratified the Treaty, and 183 countries having signed, it also reflects the global support for the CTBT.  "The universality and a reliable verification regime are the two engines that make any disarmament and non-proliferation Treaty more than just symbolic in nature." [See full remarks.]   The event was hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.