Supporters of a worldwide agreement prohibiting nuclear tests announced on Tuesday their intention to utilize US President Barack Obama's efforts towards disarmament to advance their goals at the United Nations this month. Obama has expressed backing for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which has not yet been enforced due to the fact that his country is one of nine nations with significant nuclear activities that have not ratified it. "Now more than ever, the time has come to promote the non-proliferation regime," stated Omar Zniber, Morocco's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, where the CTBT agency is headquartered, during a press conference. Morocco and France are leading the effort to encourage nuclear-armed countries like India, Pakistan, and North Korea to sign the treaty. Other countries that have not yet ratified the treaty include Egypt, Iran, and Israel. Senior officials from states in the CTBT and the UN Security Council will gather at the United Nations in New York on September 24-25 to discuss the treaty. This is the first time in ten years that the United States will participate in such discussions. Previous administrations, such as George W. Bush's, did not prioritize nuclear diplomacy and arms control, leading to the Senate failing to ratify the treaty in 1999 during the Clinton administration. Critics at the time believed there was no foolproof way to ensure compliance with the treaty, but advancements in verification technology have since been made. President Obama has pledged to make renewed efforts to secure Senate ratification. His administration and Russia have emphasized the importance of eliminating nuclear arsenals worldwide, starting with their own countries. The upcoming UN talks will coincide with a special Security Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, chaired by Obama. Tibor Toth, executive secretary of the CTBT implementing agency, believes that while the US-Russian commitment to gradual disarmament is significant, a global test ban pact is also possible in the current diplomatic climate. He sees a renewed focus on multilateralism and nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, emphasizing the need for tangible results from these efforts. This treaty is considered the one that is most likely to achieve something significant. Approximately 180 countries have agreed to the treaty, and about 150 have officially approved it. However, the treaty cannot be enforced until all nine nuclear states sign and ratify it. Supporters believe that if the United States joins the treaty, it will encourage other countries to do the same.