CTBTO chief hails dramatic drop in nuclear tests since 1996 treaty

In an interview, Robert Floyd, the CTBTO’s executive secretary, praised the steep decline in nuclear weapon explosive tests since the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was adopted by the United Nations in 1996, dropping from more than 2,000 pre-treaty tests to under a dozen thereafter, with North Korea the sole remaining tester. Floyd described this trend as a significant benefit for global peace and security. He explained that the treaty remains unenforced because the United States and China have signed but not ratified it, and Russia withdrew its ratification in 2023, meaning simultaneous ratification by the United States and China is needed for entry into force.

Floyd also emphasized the role of the International Monitoring System’s 308 stations and laboratories, whose data are processed at the CTBTO’s International Data Center in Vienna, deterring states from attempting covert tests. He mentioned that advances in artificial intelligence may improve detection of smaller tests, though final analysis will still rely on human experts. Floyd praised Japan and other partners, such as Australia, for establishing the “Friends of the CTBT” network that has held 12 meetings to promote ratification, and he argued that preventing tests helps curb the development of new nuclear weapons.