The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) was set up in 1996 with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria. It is an interim organization tasked with building up the verification regime of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in preparation for the Treaty's entry into force as well as promoting the Treaty's universality.

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Speaking to the FCO at Wilton Park, Jean du Preez of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation discusses nuclear issues:


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The Commission consists of two main organs: a plenary body composed of all States Signatories (also known as the Preparatory Commission), which is assisted by three groups: a working group on administrative and financial issues, another on verification-related issues, and an advisory group.

The CTBTO's headquarters are at the Vienna International Centre.The other main body is the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) which assists the plenary body in carrying out its activities. The PTS has three technical divisions: the International Monitoring System Division, the International Data Centre Division and the On-Site Inspection Division. These are supported by a Legal and External Relations Division and a Division of Administration. The CTBTO is financed mainly through assessed contributions by Member States.

Apart from building up the verification regime, the PTS assists Member States in special outreach activities such as Article XIV Conferences or Ministerial Meetings to promote the entry into force of the CTBT. It also conducts a number of workshops to promote the Treaty or to strengthen the verification regime.