BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a Lectureon “Importance of the CTBT in Constraining the Development of Nuclear Weapons, and the Civil and Scientific Applications” on 04 October 2018 at BIISS auditorium. H. E. Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), delivered the Lecture. Major General A K M Abdur Rahman, ndc, psc, Director General, BIISS, delivered the Welcome Address. Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS, Chaired and summed up the Session.

 In his Lecture, H. E. Dr. Lassina Zerbo noted that the CTBT bans any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion anywhere in the world. A legally binding in force CTBT is the only way to solidify the moratorium on nuclear testing and an essential step towards the ultimate goal: a world free from nuclear weapons. The organisation is ready to assist countries in whatever way it can. The CTBTO stands ready to contribute to the process of verifiable denuclearisation if called upon by its member states. He praised the role of Bangladesh and noted that as a strong protagonist of general and complete disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, Bangladesh is one of the first-group of signatories to CTBT and is the 54th country to ratify the Treaty on 8 March 2000. He also noted that the country is respectful to the norms and conditions of CTBT which can be an example for other countries.

Representatives from different organisations, former ambassadors, diplomats of different countries, officials from different ministries of Bangladesh, media, members of academia, researchers and teachers from various universities participated in the open discussion and expressed their valuable opinions, observations and queries on the topic.