EU Statement on the occasion of the Sixty-Third Session of Working Group B, 27 August 2024

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1]and Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland, and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra and San Marino, align themselves with this statement.

Chair,

The European Union wishes to thank you and the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) for the timely preparation of this meeting, in close coordination with the Vice-Chairs and the Working Group B Task Leaders. We assure you of our continued support and cooperation.

The CTBT's universalisation and entry into force remain a priority for the EU. We urge all States, which have not yet done so - in particular the remaining Annex II States - to sign and ratify the CTBT without any preconditions or further delay. Pending CTBT entry into force, the EU calls on all States to abide by the moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and to refrain from any action contrary to the object and purpose of the Treaty. In this regard, we continue to deeply deplore the unprecedented decision of Russia to revoke its ratification of the CTBT and expect Russia to maintain its contribution to the International Monitoring System (IMS) and data availability through the verification regime.

During the last NPT PrepCom Session in Geneva, the EU was pleased to submit a Working Paper on the CTBT with recommendations for the 2026 NPT review cycle. We look forward to the High-Level Meeting on the International Day Against Nuclear Tests (IDANT) on 4 September in New York; this will be another occasion to reaffirm States Signatories' support to the CTBT and its entry into force.

We reiterate our full confidence in the CTBT's verification regime, which has demonstrated its ability to provide independent and reliable data to deter non-compliance with the Treaty once it enters into force. We recall that the DPRK is the only country having conducted full-scale nuclear explosive testing in the 21st century. We strongly urge the DPRK to refrain from any further nuclear tests.

Chair,

We thank the Executive Secretary for his opening statement and report on verification related activities for the period January - June 2024 and look forward to the presentations by the PTS Directors and staff of the International Monitoring System (IMS), the International Data Centre (IDC) and On-Site Inspection (OSI) Divisions, on the implementation of the verification related programme.

The EU considers the completion and maintenance of IMS stations a priority and encourages the PTS to continue its important operations, including building, certifying, operating and repairing IMS stations. The EU supports the recommendations for the relocation of four stations, to further improve the functioning of the IMS. Moreover, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the verification regime, through adequate funding, remains crucial. We thank the PTS for circulating the comprehensive forecast of long-term requirements for the IMS sustainment. We take note of the proposed significant budget increase starting from the 2026-2027 biennium and look forward to further discussions and information during this Session.

The EU reiterates its position that transportable noble gas measurement systems are essential for the analysis of the IDC, in further understanding the global radionuclide background and in facilitating the correct categorization of events. As confirmed by the PTS, this on-going activity is part of, and helps carry out its mandate.

Data availability, including through accurate and timely IDC reports and station reliability, is equally essential. The EU welcomes the support provided by the PTS to States Signatories through the "National Data Centres (NDCs) for All" initiative, such as the provision of capacity building systems (CBS), which were procured in part through voluntary funding by the EU.

The EU and its Member States have been one of the largest contributors to the financing of OSI technologies capacity building. We congratulate the PTS for the successful Build-Up Exercise 2024 in Hungary, and support the organisation of regular OSI exercises, including tabletop and directed exercises. We look forward to the Integrated Field Exercise 2025 (IFE25) in Sri Lanka, which will be a major milestone for the activities of the OSI division and the credibility of the future verification regime. We look forward to receiving further information on the PTS preparations and the objectives of the IFE25.

The EU, through our continued political and financial commitment to the Organisation, provides significant voluntary contributions to support the verification regime as well as capacity building and outreach, particularly in developing countries. The Technical Experts Support Programme (TESP) continues to be financed through EU Council Decisions. In this regard, we welcome the sustained efforts within the CTBTO towards gender equality and equitable geographical representation, including the enhanced participation of female experts in capacity building programmes and WGB activities.

In conclusion Chair,

We assure you of the EU's full support and cooperation in bringing this meeting to a successful completion, with the adoption of a concise Report, focusing on operative outcomes.

Thank you.

[1]North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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