Open Nuclear Network was delighted to take part in the CTBTO Science and Technology Conference 2025, a unique forum where science and policy meet. Our team contributed with insights on satellite imagery for nuclear test detection and on strengthening youth engagement in the CTBT community.
Open Nuclear Network was delighted to take part and contribute to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Science and Technology Conference 2025 (SnT2025), a unique forum where science and policy truly meet. ONN has participated in this gathering for many years, and we remain deeply appreciative of the CTBTO team and Executive Secretary Dr Robert Floyd for creating such a space for dialogue and exchange.
Harnessing Satellite Imagery Analysis for CTBT Verification
On 10 September, ONN Senior Analyst Jaewoo Shin presented research co-authored with Nikita Degtyarev, Marcy R. Fowler and Sarah Laderman. The presentation demonstrated how the growing number of commercial satellites, combined with rapidly developing analytical approaches, can provide reliable, non-intrusive, shareable and actionable CTBT-relevant information. Key takeaways included:
- Satellite imagery can strengthen transparency and verification efforts.
- It provides significant value for CTBTO inspections, such as site characterisation and post-test analysis.
- Lessons can be drawn from monitoring by states, international organisations, and independent researchers.
- Nuclear test sites continue to be actively maintained and modernised.
📑 See the full presentation
📘 Read the report
Youth Engagement in Nuclear Policy
On 11 September, ONN Engagement and Network Coordinator Kseniia Pirnavskaia, a long-standing CTBTO Youth Group (CYG) member and former coordinator, spoke at a roundtable on youth engagement frameworks, strategies and opportunities. Alongside colleagues from UNODA Vienna, CTBT Young Professionals Network (YPN) and International Student/Young Pugwash (ISYP), Kseniia shared best practices for empowering young people to make meaningful contributions to the nuclear policy field. She highlighted ONN’s approach: nearly 70% of ONN’s team are specialists under 35. By offering job opportunities and leadership responsibilities, ONN ensures that early-career experts are not only present in the field but also actively shaping research, policy and decision-making.
As part of the programme, Kseniia also engaged in discussions between CYG members and Dr Robert Floyd, enriching exchanges between young professionals and CTBTO leadership.
Photo credit: Thai (Simon) Ly
Looking Ahead
At ONN, we remain committed to supporting the CTBTO’s mission. We thank the CTBTO and the CTBTO Youth Group for the invitation and for their continued leadership in creating this vital space for collaboration.
