The Twenty-Ninth Session of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO was held from 12 to
Ambassador Tang Guoqiang, Head of the Chinese Delegation, praises the success of the Fifth Article XIV Conference in September. Tang says that the international nuclear nonproliferation mechanism is currently facing severe challenges and the international community still has a long way to go on further promoting nuclear disarmament and preventing nuclear proliferation. Continuing support of the CTBT and its early entry into force carries meaningful weight to further promote nuclear disarmament and strengthen nuclear non-proliferation mechanism.
Ambassador Tang says that the Final Draft of the 2008 Programme and Budget keeps in line with the principle of being realistic and reasonable and realizes the zero real growth.
As for the Pilot Project of financing experts from the developing countries to participate in the Working Group B meetings, Ambassador Tang expresses the hope that the Pilot Project be continued so as to further strengthen the universal participation of all States Signatories, particularly the developing countries, in the work of the PrepCom. This would be conducive to improving the universalization of the PreCom, enlarging the influence of the CTBT and promoting the entry into force of the Treaty.
As for the selection of the External Auditor, Ambassador Tang emphasizes that the selection of the External Auditor should keep in line with the principle of being fair, open and just, while enhancing transparency in the operational process. The high qualified person who is competent should be chosen on the basis of careful judgment and synthetical comparison. The geographical balance and the turning over principle should be taken into due consideration, especially nominations from the developing countries should be encouraged.