Banning Nuclear Tests: A New Dynamic?

A discussion with Dr Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

Lassina Zerbo is the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO since 2013. He is a national of Burkina Faso.

Zerbo has been instrumental in cementing the CTBTO’s position as the world’s centre of excellence for nuclear test-ban verification, as well as in driving forward efforts towards the entry into force and universalization of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

During a professional career spanning nearly 25 years, Zerbo has developed expertise ranging from scientific and technical competencies to results-based management and multilateral diplomacy. Zerbo previously served as Director of the organization’s International Data Centre (IDC) from 2004 to 2014.

Zerbo served as co-chair of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Nuclear Security (2012-2014).

His international career started with several positions as geophysicist. Zerbo obtained a PhD in Geophysics from the Université de Paris XI, France, in 1993.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans nuclear explosions by everyone, everywhere: on the Earth's surface, in the atmosphere, underwater and underground.

The CTBT was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996 but has yet to enter into force as several States still have to ratify it.