The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations (commonly referred to as the Vienna Convention) is an international treaty that governs the formation, interpretation, and termination of treaties involving both states and international organizations, or treaties exclusively between international organizations. It was adopted on March 21, 1986, and entered into force on January 27, 1988.
The Vienna Convention was developed within the framework of the United Nations (UN) and serves as a comprehensive legal framework for treaty law. It applies to treaties concluded between two or more states, between states and international organizations, or between international organizations themselves. The Convention does not apply to treaties concluded between states and international organizations of which they are members or treaties of international organizations with their own member states.
Some key provisions of the Vienna Convention include:
- Definition of a Treaty: The Convention defines a treaty as an international agreement between states or international organizations that is governed by international law.
- Formation and Validity of Treaties: It establishes the principles for the formation, validity, and consent to be bound by treaties, including the requirement of the parties to have the necessary authority to enter into treaties.
- Interpretation of Treaties: The Convention provides rules for the interpretation of treaty provisions, taking into account the ordinary meaning of the terms, the context, the object and purpose of the treaty, and subsequent agreements or practices.
- Reservations: It sets out the rules regarding reservations made by states or international organizations when ratifying or acceding to a treaty.
- Amendment and Modification of Treaties: The Convention outlines the procedures for amending or modifying treaties, including the consent required from the parties.
- Invalidity and Termination of Treaties: It specifies the circumstances under which a treaty may be considered invalid or terminated, such as a breach of the treaty, fundamental change of circumstances, or agreement between the parties.
- Depositary and Registration: The Convention designates the functions of a depositary for treaties and establishes the requirement for the registration of treaties with the UN Secretariat.
The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations provides a framework to ensure clarity, consistency, and stability in the field of treaty law. It aims to promote respect for treaty obligations and facilitate the resolution of disputes arising from the interpretation or application of treaties