Ambassador Raimonds Oškalns submits credentials to the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Organisation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

On 9 September 2024, in Vienna, Austria, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia, Raimonds Oškalns, submitted his credentials to the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission of the General Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Dr. Robert Floyd.

During the conversation, the officials discussed international security issues and the organization’s current activities.

Ambassador Oškalns confirmed Latvia’s continued support for the work of the organisation and he underlined that the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is an important step towards strengthening international peace and security.

At the same time, the Ambassador noted that Russia’s decision to revoke its ratification of the Treaty in 2023 and the threat of its use of nuclear weapons deserve condemnation as they have a negative effect on international arms control and non-proliferation architecture, as well as undermining global disarmament efforts.

Raimonds Oškalns reaffirmed Latvia’s interest in further practical cooperation with the organisation, which contributes to national expertise and technical capabilities.

Background information

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty stipulates that carrying out nuclear tests and any other nuclear explosions – above ground, underground, in the atmosphere and underwater – are prohibited to prevent both the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons. The Treaty has not yet entered into force pending ratification by a number of specific nations.

At the same time, the organisation’s technical resources are already making a significant contribution. To monitor possible nuclear explosions in a continuous round-the-clock mode, an International Monitoring System has been established consisting of 337 data collection facilities all over the globe. The system comprises four technologies: seismological (recording vibrations in the Earth’s crust), hydroacoustic (recording acoustic waves in water), infrasound (recording sound waves with a frequency below the lower limit of human audibility) and radionuclide (detecting radioactive particles in the atmosphere). This system is vital, for example, for early warning of tsunami waves caused by underground shocks.

In Latvia, the Treaty entered into force on 28 June 2001. It has been ratified by all the Member States of the European Union.