SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions | SDG 13: Climate Action
Institutions: Ministry of External Affairs | Department of Atomic Energy
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) convened the eighth Science and Technology Conference (SnT 2025) in Vienna and online, drawing over 2,000 participants from governments, science, policy, civil society, and media. The conference highlighted progress in the International Monitoring System (IMS), now more than 90% complete, readiness for on-site inspections, and emerging applications of artificial intelligence and robotics for verification tasks.
SnT 2025 also emphasized inclusivity through youth engagement, gender balance, and multilingual interpretation (including sign language at high-level sessions). New technologies such as robotics for hard-to-access inspection sites and advanced digital data tools were showcased to strengthen the global nuclear-test-ban verification regime.
By combining science, diplomacy, and inclusivity, SnT 2025 reaffirmed CTBTOβs role in maintaining global non-proliferation credibility. For India, this underscores the importance of engaging with verification technologies and international frameworks that shape future nuclear governance.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How should nuclear-armed and non-nuclear states, international security bodies, and technical agencies collaborate to accelerate IMS completion, operationalize on-site inspections, and embed advanced tech while ensuring transparency and equity?
Follow the full news here: https://www.ctbto.org/news-and-events/news/verification-today-tomorrow-together-highlights-snt2025