VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia, represented by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), signed a cooperation agreement with the International Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) on Tuesday (20/6). The agreement was signed by BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati and CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd.

The agreement contains cooperation to encourage capacity building and the participation of Indonesian seismic station experts and operators in various training programs, workshops, and CTBTO meetings. The agreement also includes research cooperation and expansion of internship opportunities for Indonesian experts, staff and students at the international organization headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

"This agreement will certainly further strengthen cooperation between BMKG and CTBTO, especially in increasing the capacity of reliable and professional human resources, and encouraging CTBTO's cooperation and technical assistance for Indonesia," said Deputy Indonesian Ambassador in Vienna A. Alfiano Tamala, who witnessed the signing of the MoU, in an official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Vienna received by Indonesia Window here on Thursday (22/6).

For the record, Indonesia has stations certified by CTBTO with the ability to record data that can show nuclear test attempts that will be processed at the International Data Center at CTBTO headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Indonesia itself has six seismic support monitoring facilities in Sorong, Jayapura, Baumata, Kappang, Parapat and Lembang.

On a separate occasion, Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati has also become one of the key speakers at the High Level Panel Discussion at the Science and Technology Conference (SnT2023) meeting organized by CTBTO at Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria. On that occasion, Dwikorita conveyed the role of the CTBTO international organization and the use of cooperation with Indonesia in the implementation of national programs, including early warning systems and disaster risk reduction.

The SnT2023 meeting took place on June 19-23, 2023 and was attended by more than 700 participants from various stakeholders who participated online and offline. In 2023 and 2024 Indonesia will also host several CTBTO regional trainings and meetings.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is an international treaty governing the prohibition of nuclear weapons test explosions. Through the CTBTO, the Government of Indonesia demonstrates its commitment to promote the entry into force and universalization of the CTBT to achieve the goal of stopping nuclear testing and eliminating nuclear weapons. (VOI/Andy)