Dr. Robert Floyd, CTBTO Executive Secretary, Pays a Working Visit to the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology

On the afternoon of August 11, 2025, the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INST) hosted Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and a CTBTO expert delegation, for a working session. This meeting was part of Dr. Floyd’s working visit to Vietnam alongside the delegation, with the aim of promoting cooperation in nuclear verification and non-proliferation, as well as application of science and technology for peaceful purposes.

The delegation was received by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai – Vice President of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM), the national focal point for the CTBTO in Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen Huu Quyet – Deputy Director in charge of the INST, Dr. Pham Ngoc Dong – Deputy Director of the INST, together with the staff of the INST as well as of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS).

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai and the INST leaders welcomed Dr. Robert Floyd alongside the delegation

During the meeting, Dr. Robert Floyd and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai engaged in discussions on the operations of the Vietnam National Data Center (NDC) and potential cooperation in technical training and data sharing. Dr. Bui Duy Linh from the VARANS presented the recent results of data analysis in Vietnam. Following the discussions, the delegation conducted an on-site inspection of the NDC system at the INST, visited the National Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Network Operation Center, and reviewed the equipment provided for installation in the ASEAN Regional Radiation Monitoring and Early Warning Network.

Dr. Bui Duy Linh gave his presentation on the data analysis results in Vietnam

At the end of the working session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai proposed that the CTBTO support Vietnam in upgrading the NDC system and software, dispatch technical experts to assist with configuration and technology transfer, and enhance analytical capacity building programs for member states through advanced training courses.

Dr. Robert Floyd was appointed as Executive Secretary of the CTBTO on August 1, 2021, becoming the fourth Executive Secretary of the CTBTO. Prior to joining CTBTO, Dr. Floyd served for more than ten years as Director General of the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO) and made significant contributions to the international partnership for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation verification.

His working visit to Vietnam alongside the delegation not only contributes to strengthening the collaborative partnership between Vietnam and the CTBTO but also opens up opportunities for Vietnam to strengthen technical capacity, share experience, and foster its active participation in the effectiveness improvement of the global monitoring system.

The following site visit images of Dr. Floyd and the delegation were captured at the National Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Network Operation Center.

The delegation visited the NDC server system at the INST

The delegation visited the National Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Network Operation Center located at the INST

Dr. Robert Floyd presented a gift to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai

CTBTO is an international organization tasked with promoting the universality of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and building up the global verification regime to monitor compliance with the Treaty. The CTBTO operates the International Monitoring System (IMS) and the International Data Center (IDC), which are designed to collect, analyze, and share data with its member states. Vietnam signed the CTBT on September 24, 1996, and ratified it on March 10, 2006. As a member state, Vietnam operates its NDC to receive and process data from the global monitoring system, as well as actively participates in scientific and technical cooperation activities, conferences, and exercises organized by the CTBTO.

Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology