EU Statement on the occasion of the seventieth session of Working Group A of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organisation

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. 

Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Serbia, Ukraine and Türkiye align themselves with this statement.

The EU thanks the Executive Secretary, Dr. Robert Floyd, for his opening statement and for the reports presented. We express our appreciation to you as well as the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) for the timely preparation of this Session.

Let me affirm at the outset, that the entry into force and universalization of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) remains a top priority for the EU. We urge all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the CTBT. We consistently call upon the remaining Annex 2 States, which still need to sign and ratify the Treaty in order to bring it into force, to do so without any preconditions or further delay. In the meantime, it is crucial for international peace and security that all States fully observe the moratorium on nuclear test explosions or any other nuclear explosion, and refrain from any action contrary to the object and purpose of the Treaty. In this regard, we continue to call on all concerned States to honour their commitments.

Chair,

The EU takes note with appreciation of the recent report of the Advisory Group and we express support for its recommendations. The EU supports the Final Draft of the 2027 Budget update as presented in July by the PTS. 

We share the Advisory Group’s concern regarding the impact of the Zero Nominal Growth (ZNG) budget for 2026-2027 on programmatic activities, notably International Monitoring System (IMS) sustainment, which continue to rely on temporary cash injections and internal fund reallocation. Temporary measures cannot substitute for a sustainable long term funding solution for IMS sustainment under present budgetary constraints. The long-term sustainment of the IMS remains a priority for the EU. In that regard and as also recommended by the Advisory Group, the EU supports the 2026 budgetary transfer within the two sub-funds of the Capital Investment Fund (CIF) to address pressing sustainment requirements of the IMS network.

The EU is open to discuss the programmatic priorities which will guide the PTS for the next biennium. We recall that ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the verification regime, through an adequately funded IMS Sustainment Strategy, remains essential. As noted by the PTS, a significant drop in system capability could be expected from the 2028-2029 biennium without the required level of sustainment funding. With regard to the OSI, we look forward to receiving information on the results of the ongoing IFE. It is important that we collectively reflect on the lessons learnt from this exercise and adapt the future OSI programme of work to the current financial constraints. 

Chair,

The EU urges all States Signatories without exception to pay their outstanding assessed contributions and arrears without further delay. Paying contributions is crucial in order to enable full support of all components of the CTBT, an efficient operation of the verification regime and the financial health of the PTS. In this regard, we note with concern the significant decrease in the collection rate compared to last year. We underline the importance of programmatic activities being adequately implemented and continued. In the meantime, we recognize the efforts made by the PTS to mitigate the consequences of the liquidity crisis. 

All EU Member States have paid their assessed contributions in full. In addition, we are pleased to continue our support to the CTBTO monitoring and verification activities through EU voluntary contributions, which have accumulated to more than €36 million over the past 20 years. We encourage other States Signatories to follow suit. 

In conclusion, Chair,

We assure you of the EU’s full support and cooperation and underline that the Report of this Session should be factual and concise, focusing on the administrative and financial issues included on the agenda of this Working Group A.

Finally, we also take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation and thanks to you, Ambassador, and your team for your commitment and dedication to the Working Group over the past years. We stand ready to give our full support to the incoming Chair for a successful conduct of Working Group A in the years to come. 

Thank you.