English (7 MB) - Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty ...

FOREWORDBY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARYNon-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of the importance and urgency of signaturesand ratifications, without delay and without conditions and in accordancewith constitutional processes.The Preparatory Commission’s cooperation with other international organizationswas significantly strengthened in 2000, and of particular importance in thisregard was the conclusion of a relationship agreement with the United Nations.We are already deriving important benefits from this agreement. An administrativeagreement has been concluded with the United Nations Development Programmesetting out a framework for its provision of operational support servicesto the Commission, similar to that for other organizations in the United Nationssystem. For the first time, in 2000 an item on cooperation between the UnitedNations and the Preparatory Commission was included in the agenda of the fiftyfifthsession of the General Assembly, and I addressed the General Assembly onthe status of the Treaty and the work of the Commission.The PTS continues to perform its tasks with the guidance and support of StatesSignatories. One significant challenge is the implementation of a planningprocess that will ensure readiness to meet future requirements to deliver a verificationregime at the Treaty’s entry into force - a challenge which is furthercomplicated by the political uncertainty regarding the time of entry into force.In this respect the second Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of theComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty to be held pursuant to Article XIV ofthe Treaty, on 25-27 September 2001 in New York, gives us further encouragement.The efficiency and resolve with which the Preparatory Commission consideredand approved the 2001 Programme and Budget also give me confidencethat we are on the right course to meet this challenge. With the dedication, skilland hard work of the staff of the PTS and the continued commitment and supportof States Signatories, we are set to measure up to the challenges of carryingout our mandate.Wolfgang HoffmannExecutive SecretaryPreparatory Commissionfor the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban TreatyOrganizationViennaMarch 2001