Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity was launched on 29 December 1993. Its three main objectives are to conserve biological diversity, sustainably use the components of biological diversity, and fairly and equitably share the benefits resulting from the use of genetic resources.
Terms
All terms—“ratification,” “accession,” “approval,” and “acceptance”—signify a state’s consent to be bound by a treaty. The legal incidents and implications of ratification, accession, approval, and acceptance are the same. The treaty becomes legally binding on the state or the regional economic integration organization. Countries that have not ratified the treaty are identified as “Non Parties.”
Ratification and Accession
Ratification and accession have the same legal effect. The main distinction concerns when a state accepts the offer or the opportunity to become a party to a treaty. Only states that have signed a treaty, while it was open for signature, can proceed to ratify it. The signature does not establish consent to be bound, hence the need for ratification. Accession is the act whereby a state becomes a party to a treaty that has already been negotiated and signed by other states.
Acceptance and Approval
The terms “acceptance” and “approval” originated more recently and apply under the same conditions as those for ratification. The legal effect is the same as ratification. The use of one term or the other results from differences in legal systems. Certain countries, especially some East European states, use the terms “acceptance” or “approval” for participation in treaties. The terms are also used when organizations (e.g., the EU) rather than states become parties to an international treaty.
Succession
Succession occurs when one state replaces another in the responsibility for the international relations of a territory. Generally, a newly independent state that issues a notification of succession is considered a party to a treaty from the date of the succession of states or from the date of entry into force of the treaty, whichever is later.
Citation: CBD, 2013
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was negotiated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992 and entered into force on 21 March 1993. The treaty’s main goal is the “stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”
Terms
The convention divides countries into three main groups based on their commitments.
Annex 1 Parties
Industrialized countries that were members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1992 and countries with economies in transition (EIT Parties), such as the Russian Federation, the Baltic states, and several Central and Eastern European states.
Annex II Parties
OECD members of Annex I but not the EIT Parties. Annex II Parties are required to provide financial resources to enable developing countries to undertake emissions reduction activities under the convention and to help them adapt to effects of climate change.
Non–Annex I Parties
Mostly developing countries that are recognized by the convention as being particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and/or the potential economic impacts of climate change response measures.
Citation: UNFCCC, 2013
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. It is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that sets internationally binding emission reduction targets for its parties.
Terms
Ratification and Accession
Ratification and accession have the same legal effect. The main distinction concerns when a state accepts the offer or the opportunity to become a party to a treaty. Only states that have signed a treaty, while it was open for signature, can proceed to ratify it. The signature does not establish consent to be bound, hence the need for ratification. Accession is the act whereby a state becomes a party to a treaty that has already been negotiated and signed by other states.
Citation: UNFCCC, 2013
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was adopted on 17 June 1994 and entered into force in December 1996. The Convention aims to combat desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought.
Terms
Ratification and Accession
Ratification and accession have the same legal effect. The main distinction concerns when a state accepts the offer or the opportunity to become a party to a treaty. Only states that have signed a treaty, while it was open for signature, can proceed to ratify it. The signature does not establish consent to be bound, hence the need for ratification. Accession is the act whereby a state becomes a party to a treaty that has already been negotiated and signed by other states.
Citation: UNCCD, 2012
International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA)
The International Tropical Timber Agreement entered into force on 7 December 2011. The agreement aims “to promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests and to promote the sustainable management of tropical timber producing forests.”
Terms
Members of the ITTA have consented to be bound by this agreement. Producer members are those situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn with tropical forest resources and/or a net export of tropical timber. Consumer members are those that import tropical timber.
Citation: ITTO, 2011
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international agreement that aims to ensure that international trade of wild plants and animals does not threaten their survival.
Terms
All terms—“ratification,” “accession,” “approval,” and “acceptance”—signify a state’s consent to be bound by a treaty. The legal incidents and implications of ratification, accession, approval, and acceptance are the same. The treaty becomes legally binding on the state or the regional economic integration organization. Countries that have not ratified the treaty are identified as “Non Parties.”
Ratification and Accession
Ratification and accession have the same legal effect. The main distinction concerns when a state accepts the offer or the opportunity to become a party to a treaty. Only states that have signed a treaty, while it was open for signature, can proceed to ratify it. The signature does not establish consent to be bound, hence the need for ratification. Accession is the act whereby a state becomes a party to a treaty that has already been negotiated and signed by other states.
Acceptance and Approval
The terms “acceptance” and “approval” originated more recently and apply under the same conditions as those for ratification. The legal effect is the same as ratification. The use of one term or the other results from differences in legal systems.
Certain countries, especially some East European states, use the terms “acceptance” or “approval” for participation in treaties. The terms are also used when organizations rather than states become parties to an international treaty (for example, the EU).
Succession
Succession occurs when one state replaces another in the responsibility for the international relations of a territory. Generally, a newly independent state which makes a notification of succession is considered a party to a treaty from the date of the succession of states or from the date of entry into force of the treaty, whichever is later.
Citation: CITES, 2013
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)
The Ramsar Convention, known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, is an “intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.” The treaty entered into force on 21 December 1971.
Terms
Contracting parties have "signaled a commitment on the part of the national government to work actively to support the ‘three pillars’ of the Convention: 1) ensuring the conservation and wise use of wetlands it has designated as Wetlands of International Importance, 2) including as far as possible the wise use of all wetlands in national environmental planning, and 3) consulting with other Parties about implementation of the Convention, especially in regard to transboundary wetlands, shared water systems, and shared species."
Citation: www.ramsar.org
World Heritage Convention
Created in 1972, the World Heritage Convention aims to identify and preserve the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The convention lays out the responsibilities of a state’s parties in identifying potential sites of outstanding universal value and the parties’ role in protecting and preserving these sites.
Terms
All terms—“ratification,” “accession,” “approval,” and “acceptance”—signify a state’s consent to be bound by a treaty. The legal incidents and implications of ratification, accession, approval, and acceptance are the same. The treaty becomes legally binding on the state or the regional economic integration organization. Countries that have not ratified the treaty are identified as “Non Parties.”
Ratification and Accession
Ratification and accession have the same legal effect. The main distinction concerns when a state accepts the offer or the opportunity to become a party to a treaty. Only states that have signed a treaty, while it was open for signature, can proceed to ratify it. The signature does not establish consent to be bound, hence the need for ratification. Accession is the act whereby a state becomes a party to a treaty that has already been negotiated and signed by other states
Acceptance and Approval
The terms “acceptance” and “approval” originated more recently and apply under the same conditions as those for ratification. The legal effect is the same as ratification. The use of one term or the other results from differences in legal systems.
Certain countries, especially some East European states, use the terms “acceptance” or “approval” for participation in treaties. The terms are also used when organizations rather than states become parties to an international treaty (for example, the EU).
Succession
Succession occurs when one state replaces another in the responsibility for the international relations of a territory. Generally, a newly independent state which makes a notification of succession is considered a party to a treaty from the date of the succession of states or from the date of entry into force of the treaty, whichever is later.
Citation: UNESCO, 2013
Non-Legally Binding Instrument
The Non–Legally Binding Instrument (NLBI) on All Types of Forests was adopted on 17 December 2007. The main purposes of this instrument are to (1) strengthen political commitment and action at all levels to implement sustainable management of all forest types and to achieve shared global objectives on forests; (2) enhance the contribution of forests to the achievement of international development goals; and (3) provide a framework for national action and international cooperation.
The NLBI includes all UN member states. It is not legally binding and does not require ratification.
Citation: UNFF, 2013
ILO 169
Convention No. 169 of the International Labour Organization is a legally binding international instrument dealing with the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. The convention entered into force on 5 September 1991 and is open for ratification.
Citation: ILO, 2013
