Importance of the CTBT in Constraining the Development of Nuclear Weapons, and the Civil and Scientific Applications

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.