Air Pollution
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
opened for signature--13 November 1979
entered into force--16 March 1983
objective--to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution
40 parties signed and ratified, 2 parties signed but not yet ratified.
Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes
opened for signature--31 October 1988
entered into force--14 February 1991
objective--to provide for the control or reduction of nitrogen oxides and their transboundary fluxes
25 parties signed and ratified, 3 parties signed but not yet ratified.
Air Pollution-Sulphur 85
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30%
opened for signature--8 July 1985
entered into force--2 September 1987
objective--to provide for a 30% reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes by 1993
21 parties signed and ratified.
Air Pollution-Sulphur 94
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions
opened for signature--14 June 1994, but not yet in force
objective--to provide for a further reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes
5 parties signed and ratified, 23 countries signed but not yet ratified
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes
opened for signature--18 November 1991, but not yet in force
objective--to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects
14 parties, 9 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Antarctic Treaty
opened for signature--1 December 1959
entered into force--23 June 1961
objective--to ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes, such as, for international cooperation in scientific research, and that it does not become the scene or object of international discord
43 parties.
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
opened for signature--22 March 1989
entered into force--5 May 1992
objective--to reduce transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes; to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated and ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation; and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate
107 parties, 6 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Convention on Biological Diversity
opened for signature--5 June 1992
entered into force--29 December 1993
objective--to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
165 parties, 19 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change note--abbreviated as Climate Change
opened for signature--9 May 1992
entered into force--21 March 1994
objective--to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system
164 parties, 17 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
opened for signature--29 April 1958
entered into force--20 March 1966
objective--to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that because of the development of modern technology some of these resources are in danger of being overexploited
37 parties, 21 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
opened for signature--13 November 1979
entered into force--16 March 1983
objective--to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution
40 parties, 2 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
opened for signature--3 March 1973
entered into force--1 July 1975
objective--to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits
132 parties, 4 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
opened for signature--29 December 1972 entered into force--30 August 1975
objective--to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention
77 parties.
Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
opened for signature--10 December 1976
entered into force--5 October 1978
objective--to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations
64 parties, 17 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)
opened for signature--2 February 1971
entered into force--21 December 1975
objective--to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value
94 parties.
Desertification
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa
opened for signature--14 October 1994
entered into force--26 December 1996
objective--to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements
56 parties, 62 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Endangered Species
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
opened for signature--3 March 1973
entered into force--1 July 1975
objective--to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits
132 parties, 4 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Environmental Modification
Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
opened for signature--10 December 1976
entered into force--5 October 1978
objective--to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations
64 parties, 17 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Hazardous Wastes
opened for signature--22 March 1989
entered into force--5 May 1992
objective--to reduce transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes; to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated and ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation; and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate
107 parties, 6 countries signed but not yet ratified.
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
opened for signature--2 December 1946
entered into force--10 November 1948
objective--to protect all species of whales from overfishing; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks; and to safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks
57 parties.
International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983
opened for signature--18 November 1983
entered into force--1 April 1985; this agreement will expire when the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, goes into force
objective--to provide an effective framework for cooperation between tropical timber producers and consumers and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources
54 parties.
International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994
opened for signature--26 January 1994, but not yet in force
objective--to ensure that by the year 2000 exports of tropical timber originate from sustainably managed sources; to establish a fund to assist tropical timber producers in obtaining the resources necessary to reach this objective
43 parties, 9 countries signed, but not yet ratified.
Law of the Sea
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
opened for signature--10 December 1982
entered into force--16 November 1994
objective--to set up a comprehensive new legal regime for the sea and oceans; to include rules concerning environmental standards as well as enforcement provisions dealing with pollution of the marine environment
110 parties, 60 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Marine Dumping
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
opened for signature--29 December 1972 entered into force--30 August 1975
objective--to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention
77 parties.
Marine Life Conservation
Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
opened for signature--29 April 1958
entered into force--20 March 1966
objective--to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that because of the development of modern technology some of these resources are in danger of being overexploited
37 parties, 21 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
opened for signature--16 September 1987
entered into force--1 January 1989
objective--to protect the ozone layer by controlling emissions of substances that deplete it
161 parties.
Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
opened for signature--5 August 1963
entered into force--10 October 1963
objective--to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations; to put an end to the armaments race and eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons
125 parties, 11 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Ozone Layer Protection
Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
opened for signature--16 September 1987
entered into force--1 January 1989
objective--to protect the ozone layer by controlling emissions of substances that deplete it
161 parties.
Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL)
opened for signature--17 February 1978
entered into force--2 October 1983
objective--to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination
of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of
accidental discharge of such substances 96 parties.
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
opened for signature--4 October 1991, but not yet in force
objective--to enhance the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems
24 parties, 17 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes
opened for signature--31 October 1988
entered into force--14 February 1991
objective--to provide for the control or reduction of nitrogen oxides and their transboundary fluxes
25 parties signed and ratified, 3 parties signed but not yet ratified.
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes
opened for signature--18 November 1991, but not yet in force
objective--to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects
14 parties, 9 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions
opened for signature--14 June 1994, but not yet in force
objective--to provide for a further reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes
5 parties signed and ratified, 23 countries signed but not yet ratified
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30%
opened for signature--8 July 1985
entered into force--2 September 1987
objective--to provide for a 30% reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes by 1993
21 parties signed and ratified.
Ship Pollution
Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL)
opened for signature--17 February 1978
entered into force--2 October 1983
objective--to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances
96 parties.
Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
opened for signature--5 August 1963
entered into force--10 October 1963
objective--to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations; to put an end to the armaments race and eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons
125 parties, 11 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Tropical Timber 83
International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983
opened for signature--18 November 1983
entered into force--1 April 1985; this agreement will expire when the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, goes into force
objective--to provide an effective framework for cooperation between tropical timber producers and consumers and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources
54 parties.
Tropical Timber 94
International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994
opened for signature--26 January 1994, but not yet in force
objective--to ensure that by the year 2000 exports of tropical timber originate from sustainably managed sources; to establish a fund to assist tropical timber producers in obtaining the resources necessary to reach this objective
43 parties, 9 countries signed, but not yet ratified.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
opened for signature--10 December 1982
entered into force--16 November 1994
objective--to set up a comprehensive new legal regime for the sea and oceans; to include rules concerning environmental standards as well as enforcement provisions dealing with pollution of the marine environment
110 parties, 60 countries signed but not yet ratified.
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa
opened for signature--14 October 1994
entered into force--26 December 1996
objective--to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements
56 parties, 62 countries signed but not yet ratified.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change note--abbreviated as Climate Change
opened for signature--9 May 1992
entered into force--21 March 1994
objective--to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system
164 parties, 17 countries signed but not yet ratified.
Wetlands
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)
opened for signature-2 February 1971
entered into force-21 December 1975
objective-to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.
94 parties.
Whaling
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
opened for signature--2 December 1946
entered into force--10 November 1948
objective--to protect all species of whales from overfishing; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and developmnt of whale stocks; and to safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks
57 parties.