New York, 10 September 1996
Objectives
The Treaty has the purpose of attracting the adherence of all States and the
objective of contributing effectively to the prevention of the proliferation of
nuclear weapons in all its aspects, to the process of nuclear disarmament and
therefore to the enhancement of international peace and security.
Key Provisions
Each State party undertakes not to carry out any nuclear-weapon-test explosion
or any other nuclear explosion and to prohibit and prevent any such nuclear
explosion at any place under its jurisdiction or control. Each party also
undertakes "to refrain from causing, encouraging, or in any way participating in
the carrying out of any nuclear-weapon test explosions or any other nuclear
explosion".
The States parties establish the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Organization (CTBTO), with its seat in Vienna, to ensure the implementation of
the Treaty's provisions, including verification of compliance, and to provide a
forum for consultation and cooperation among States parties. The CTBTO's organs
are the Conference of the States parties, the Executive Council and the
Technical Secretariat, which includes the International Data Centre.
Other key articles deal with national implementation measures; verification
(including the International Monitoring System comprising facilities for
seismological, radionuclide, hydroacoustic and infrasound monitoring); measures
to redress a situation and to ensure compliance, and settlement of
disputes.
A three-part Protocol deals with the International Monitoring System and
International Data Centre functions; on-site inspections; and
confidence-building measures, with two annexes.