WINDHOEK, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is hosting the first Integrated Field Exercise in Africa, with about 250 international experts to test procedures and equipment used to investigate suspected nuclear test explosions.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) said the exercise, running from Oct. 10 to Nov. 20 in Namibia's Erongo Region, is designed to assess readiness to conduct on-site inspections under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Participants include surrogate inspectors nominated by signatory states, national technical experts, CTBTO staff and external evaluators, the organization said, adding that about 150 tonnes of technical and support equipment have been transported to Namibia by sea and air for the exercise.
Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said hosting the exercise demonstrates the country's commitment to nuclear disarmament and contributes to strengthening the international on-site inspection system.
CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd said the exercise allows participants to test and refine the operational readiness needed to conduct inspections when questions about compliance with the treaty cannot be resolved through diplomatic or other technical means.
The scenario-based activities include establishing a temporary base of operations in Swakopmund and conducting field activities in a designated inspection area in the Erongo Region.
According to the CTBTO, an on-site inspection is a verification measure provided for under the CTBT. Once the treaty enters into force, a state party may request such an inspection to clarify whether a nuclear test explosion has taken place. The request would require approval by the CTBTO Executive Council.
Namibia hosts two certified facilities near Tsumeb that form part of the treaty's International Monitoring System.
The exercise follows similar integrated field exercises held in Kazakhstan in 2008 and Jordan in 2014, the CTBTO said. ■