Promoting cooperation in the field of monitoring, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and application of science and technology for peaceful purposes

During his working visit to Vietnam, on August 11, 2025, Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary General, led a delegation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) to visit and work with the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (IST) under the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM). The purpose of the visit is to promote cooperation in the fields of monitoring, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the application of science and technology for peaceful purposes.

Receiving the delegation were Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, the main representative of CTBTO in Vietnam; Dr. Nguyen Huu Quyet, Deputy Director in charge of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology; Dr. Pham Ngoc Dong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, and other research staff.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai and the leaders of the Institute of Science and Technology welcomed Dr. Robert Floyd and the delegation.

At the meeting, Dr. Floyd and Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai discussed the activities of the Vietnam National Data Center (NDC) and the possibility of cooperation in training and data sharing.

Also in the program, Dr. Bui Duy Linh, Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, presented the results of data analysis that Vietnam has conducted in the past. Mr. Floyd and the delegation inspected the NDC system located at the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, visited the National Radiation Monitoring Network Operation Room and the aid equipment that is about to be installed for the Radiation Monitoring and Early Warning Network of Southeast Asia.

Dr. Bui Duy Linh presented the analysis results in Vietnam.

At the end of the working session, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai proposed that CTBTO support upgrading the NDC system and software and send technical experts to Vietnam to directly support configuration and technology transfer; and increase training courses to improve analytical capacity for member countries.

Dr. Robert Floyd assumed the position of Executive Secretary General of the CTBTO on 1 August 2021, becoming the fourth head of the organization. He has served for more than a decade as Director of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO), and has made many contributions to international cooperation mechanisms on nuclear disarmament and arms control.

This visit not only contributes to strengthening the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the CTBTO but also opens up opportunities to improve technical capacity, share experiences and promote Vietnam's active participation to improve the effectiveness of the global monitoring system.

Some photos of Dr. Robert Floyd and the delegation visiting the National Radiation Monitoring Network Operations Room:

The delegation visited the NDC server system located at the Institute of Science and Technology.

The delegation visited the National Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network Operation Center located at Vietnam Science and Technology University.

Dr. Robert Floyd and Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai.

CTBTO (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization) is an international organization responsible for implementing and monitoring the implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The organization operates the International Monitoring System (IMS) and the International Data Center (IDC) to collect, analyze, and share information for member states. Vietnam signed the CTBT on September 24, 1996 and ratified it on March 10, 2006, becoming a member state, participating in the operation of the National Data Center (NDC), receiving and processing data from the global monitoring system, and actively participating in scientific and technical cooperation activities, conferences, and exercises organized by the CTBTO.

Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/thuc-day-hop-tac-trong-linh-vuc-giam-sat-chong-pho-bien-vu-khi-hanh-va-ung-dung-khcn-vi-muc-dich-hoa-binh-19725081820564573.htm