Lecture on Importance of the CTBT in Constraining the Development of Nuclear Weapons, and the Civil and Scientific Applications" on 04 October 2018

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a lecture titled "Importance of the CTBT in Constraining the Development of Nuclear Weapons, and the Civil and Scientific Applications" on 04 October 2018 at the BIISS Auditorium.

H. E. Dr Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), delivered the lecture as the Guest Speaker. Major General A K M Abdur Rahman, ndc, psc, Director General of BIISS, delivered the welcome address, while Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Chairman of the Board of Governors, BIISS, chaired the session and delivered the concluding remarks.

In his lecture, Dr Lassina Zerbo underscored the critical importance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. He explained that the Treaty prohibits all nuclear weapon test explosions and any other nuclear explosions, thereby serving as a cornerstone of international efforts to prevent the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons. He stressed that the entry into force of a legally binding CTBT remains an essential step towards achieving the shared vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

The Guest Speaker highlighted the advanced global verification regime established by the CTBTO, including the International Monitoring System (IMS), which enables the detection of nuclear explosions anywhere in the world. He also discussed the organisation's technical capabilities and reaffirmed the CTBTO's readiness to assist member states in supporting verifiable nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives whenever required.

Dr Zerbo further emphasised the civilian and scientific applications of CTBT monitoring technologies. He explained that the International Monitoring System contributes significantly to disaster risk reduction, tsunami early warning, earthquake monitoring, volcanic eruption detection, atmospheric research, and other scientific endeavours that benefit humanity beyond the Treaty’s core verification mission.

Commending Bangladesh's longstanding commitment to global peace and nuclear disarmament, Dr Zerbo noted that Bangladesh has been a strong advocate of general and complete disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. He recalled that Bangladesh was among the first group of signatories to the CTBT and became the 54th country to ratify the Treaty on 8 March 2000, demonstrating its enduring commitment to international peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.

The programme was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, policymakers, academics, researchers, military officials, representatives of international organisations, think tanks, media, and students from various universities. During the interactive discussion session, participants exchanged valuable questions, comments, suggestions, and observations on nuclear disarmament, arms control, international security, and the peaceful applications of CTBT technologies.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the international community's shared responsibility to strengthen the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and advance the objectives of the CTBT through sustained multilateral cooperation, scientific innovation, and collective commitment to international peace and security.