Statement by Tibor Toth,
Executive Secretary of the
Preparatory Commission for the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Treaty Organization

I share the strong concern expressed worldwide at today's announcement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that it conducted a nuclear test. Such an action goes against the letter and the spirit of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which I continue to hope that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will sign and ratify. The demonstrated support for the Treaty, which has been signed by 176 States and ratified by 135 of them, highlights the commitment of the international community to establishing a universal and verifiable comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty. It is my hope that the current situation will further underscore the importance of the CTBT and lead to even stronger efforts to ensure its early entry into force. The Provisional Technical Secretariat supports the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in establishing, provisionally operating, testing and evaluating the verification system foreseen under the Treaty. In accordance with its mandate, the Provisional Technical Secretariat is providing States Signatories with data collected by the International Monitoring System currently being built up, as well as data products prepared by the International Data Centre. These data and products assist States Signatories in their analysis of events.

For further information on the CTBTO, please see www.ctbto.org or contact:
Annika Thunborg, Chief, Public Information  
T    +43 1 26030-6375  
E    annika.thunborg@ctbto.org
M    +43 699 1459 6375       
I    www.ctbto.org