—–
Organization of American States (OAS)
established – 30 April 1948
effective – 13 December 1951
aim – to promote regional peace and security as well as economic and social development
members – (35) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (excluded from formal participation since 1962), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US, Uruguay, Venezuela
observers – (31) Algeria, Angola, Austria, Belgium, Central American Parliament, Cyprus, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia
—–
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)
established – 9 January 1968
aim – to promote cooperation in the petroleum industry
members – (10) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE
—–
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
established – 18 June 1981
effective – 4 July 1981
aim – to promote political, economic, and defense cooperation
members – (7) Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
associate member – (1) British Virgin Islands
—–
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
established – 14 September 1960
aim – to coordinate petroleum policies
members – (12) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela
—–
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
established – 22-25 September 1969
aim – to promote Islamic solidarity and cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and political affairs
members – (47 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan (suspended), Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
observers – (4) Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Nigeria, “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”
—–
Paris Club
see Group of 10
—–
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
established – 29 July 1899
aim – to facilitate the settlement of international disputes
members – (78) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe
—–
Population Commission
established – 3 October 1946
aim – Economic and Social Council organization dealing with population matters of importance to the UN
members – (27) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
Rio Group (RG)
note – formerly known as Grupo de los Ocho, established in December 1986
established – NA 1988
aim – a consultation mechanism on regional Latin American issues
members – (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru (suspended), Uruguay, Venezuela; note-Panama was expelled in 1988; Peru was suspended after April 1992 coup
—–
Second World
another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies
—–
socialist countries in general, countries in which the government owns and plans the use of the major factors of production; note – the term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for Communist countries
—–
South
a popular term for the poorer, less industrialized countries generally located south of the developed countries; the counterpart of the North; see less developed countries (LDCs)
—–
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
established – 8 December 1985
aim – to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation
members – (7) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
—–
South Pacific Commission (SPC)
established – 6 February 1947
effective – 29 July 1948
aim – to promote regional cooperation in economic and social matters
members – (27) American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, NZ, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa
—–
South Pacific Forum (SPF)
established – 5 August 1971
aim – to promote regional cooperation in political matters
members – (15) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
observer – (1) Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
—–
South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA)
established – NA 1981
aim – to redress unequal trade relationship of Australia and New Zealand with small island economies in Pacific region
members – (15) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
—–
Southern African Customs Union (SACU)
established – 11 December 1969
aim – to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters
members – (9) Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland
—–
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
note – evolved from the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)
established – 17 August 1992
aim – to promote regional economic development and integration
members – (10) Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
—–
Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR)
established – 26 March 1991
aim – regional economic cooperation
members – (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
—–
Statistical Commission
established – 21 June 1946
aim – Economic and Social Council organization dealing with development and standardization of national statistics of interest to the UN
members – (25) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
Third World
another term for the less developed countries; the term is fading from use; see less developed countries (LDCs)
—–
underdeveloped countries
refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above- average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs)
—–
undeveloped countries
refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs)
—–
Union Douaniere et Economique de l’Afrique Centrale (UDEAC)
see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC)
—–
United Nations (UN)
established – 26 June 1945
effective – 24 October 1945
aim – to maintain international peace and security and to promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems
members – (183 excluding Yugoslavia) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note – all UN members are represented in the General Assembly
observers – (2 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Holy See, Switzerland, Palestine Liberation Organization
—–
United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II)
note – successor to original UNAVEM
established – 20 December 1988
aim – established by the UN Security Council to verify the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola
members – (25) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Congo, Czech Republic, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Ireland, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe
—–
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
note – acronym retained from the predecessor organization UN International Children’s Emergency Fund
established – 11 December 1946
aim – to help establish child health and welfare services
members – (41) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
established – 30 December 1964
aim – to promote international trade
members – (187) all UN members plus Holy See, Switzerland, Tonga
—–
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
established – 22 November 1965
aim – to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social development
members – (48) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
established – 31 May 1974
aim – established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1973 Arab- Israeli ceasefire
members – (4) Austria, Canada, Finland, Poland
—–
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
established – 16 November 1945
effective – 4 November 1946
aim – to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture
members – (178) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members – (3) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Netherlands Antilles
—–
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
established – 15 December 1972
aim – to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters
members – (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
established – 4 March 1964
aim – established by the UN Security Council to serve as a peacekeeping force between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus
members – (8) Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, UK
—–
United Nations General Assembly
established – 26 June 1945
effective – 24 October 1945
aim – primary deliberative organ in the UN
members – (184) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly
—–
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
established – 17 November 1966
effective – 1 January 1967
aim – UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development especially among the members
members – (165) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
—–
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
established – 19 March 1978
aim – established by the UN Security Council to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore peace, and reestablish Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon
members – (10) Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Sweden
—–
United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM)
established – 9 April 1991
aim – established by the UN Security Council to observe and monitor the demilitarized zone established between Iraq and Kuwait
members – (33) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela —–
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
established – 13 August 1948
aim – established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan ceasefire
members – (8) Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Uruguay
—–
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
established – 29 April 1991
aim – established by the UN Security Council to supervise the referendum in Western Sahara
members – (26) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Tunisia, UK, US, Venezuela
—–
United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL)
established – 20 May 1991
aim – established by the UN Security Council to verify ceasefire arrangements and to monitor the maintenance of public order pending the organization of a new National Civil Police
members – (16) Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Guyana, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Venezuela
—–
United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
established – 1993 for a period of six months
aim – to verify compliance with the cease-fire agreement reached 27 July 1993 and investigate reports of violations of that agreement
members – (10) Austria, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Poland, Sierra Leone, Sweden, Switzerland
—–
United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR)
established – 1993 for six months
aim – to monitor the Uganda/Rwanda border to verify that no military assistance reaches Rwanda across the border
members – (10) Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Hungary, Netherlands, Senegal Slovakia, Zimbabwe
—–
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
established – 3 December 1949
effective – 1 January 1951
aim – to try to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find permanent solutions to refugee problems
members – (46) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire
—–
United Nations Operation in Mozambique (UNOMOZ)
established – 16 December 1992
aim – established by the UN Security Council to supervise the ceasefire
members – (18) Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Czech Republic, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, Zambia
—–
United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM)
established – 24 April 1992
aim – established by the UN Security Council to facilitate an immediate cessation of hostilities, to maintain a ceasefire in order to promote a political settlement, and to provide urgent humanitarian assistance
members – (33) Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, South Korea, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, US, Zambia, Zimbabwe
—–
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
note – acronym retained from predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities
established – NA July 1967
aim – to assist in both developed and developing countries dealing with population problems
members – (51) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR)
established – 28 February 1992
aim – established by the UN Security Council to create conditions for peace and security required for the negotiation of an overall settlement of the “Yugoslav” crisis
members – (34) Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Ghana, India, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, Venezuela
—–
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
established – 8 December 1949
aim – to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees
members – (10) Belgium, Egypt, France, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, UK, US
—–
United Nations Secretariat
established – 26 June 1945
effective – 24 October 1945
aim – to serve as the primary administrative organ of the UN; a Secretary General is appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council
—–
United Nations Security Council
established – 26 June 1945
effective – 24 October 1945
aim – to maintain international peace and security
permanent members – (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US
nonpermanent members – (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly; Brazil (1993-94), Cape Verde (1992-93), Djibouti (1993-94), Hungary (1992-93), Japan (1992-93), Morocco (1992-93), NZ (1993-94), Pakistan (1993-94), Spain (1993-94), Venezuela (1992-93)
—–
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)
established – 28 February 1992
aim – established by the UN Security Council to contribute to the restoration and maintenance of peace and to the holding of free elections
members – (45) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, UK, US, Uruguay
—–
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
established – NA May 1948
aim – initially established by the UN Security Council to supervise the 1948 Arab-Israeli ceasefire and subsequently extended to work in the Sinai, Lebanon, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
members – (19) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, US
—–
United Nations Trusteeship Council
established – 26 June 1945
effective – 24 October 1945
aim – to supervise the administration of the UN trust territories; only one of the original 11 trusteeships remains – the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
members – (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US
—–
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
established – 9 October 1874, affiliated with the UN 15 November 1947
effective – 1 July 1948
aim – UN specialized agency that promotes international postal cooperation
members-(185) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Overseas Territories of the UK, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
——
Warsaw Pact (WP)
was established 14 May 1955 to promote mutual defense; members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance; member states at the time of dissolution were Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR; earlier members included East Germany and Albania
—–
West African Development Bank (WADB)
note – also known as Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD)
established – 14 November 1973
aim – to promote regional economic development and integration
members – (7) Benin, Burkina, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo
—–
West African Economic Community (CEAO)
note – acronym from Communaute Economique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest
established – 3 June 1972
aim – to promote regional economic development
members – (7) Benin, Burkina, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal
observers – (2) Guinea, Togo
—–
Western European Union (WEU)
established – 23 October 1954
effective – 6 May 1955
aim – mutual defense and progressive political unification
members – (9) Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
associate members – (4) Greece, Iceland, Norway, Turkey
observers – (2) Denmark, Ireland
—–
World Bank
see International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
—–
World Bank Group
includes International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), and International Finance Corporation (IFC)
—–
World Confederation of Labor (WCL)
established – 19 June 1920 as the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), renamed 4 October 1968
aim – to promote the trade union movement
members – (99 national organizations) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bonaire Island, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
—–
World Court
see International Court of Justice (ICJ)
—–
World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)
established – 3 October 1945
aim – to promote the trade union movement
members – (86) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, The Gambia, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zaire
—–
World Food Council (WFC)
established – 17 December 1974
aim – ECOSOC organization that studies world food problems and recommends solutions
members – (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
World Food Program (WFP)
established – 24 November 1961
aim – ECOSOC organization that provides food aid to assist in development or disaster relief
members – (42) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
—–
World Health Organization (WHO)
established – 22 July 1946
effective – 7 April 1948
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with health matters
members – (186) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members – (2) Puerto Rico, Tokelau
—–
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
established – 14 July 1967
effective – 26 April 1970
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with the protection of literary, artistic, and scientific works
members – (140) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
—–
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
established – 11 October 1947
effective – 4 April 1951
aim – specialized UN agency concerned with meteorological cooperation
members – (173) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Caribbean Territories, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa (suspended), Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
—–
World Tourism Organization (WTO)
established – 2 January 1975
aim – to promote tourism as a means of contributing to economic development, international understanding, and peace
members – (109) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia (suspended), Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members-(4) Aruba, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico
observer-(1) Holy See
—–
Zangger Committee (ZC)
established-early 1970s
aim-to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
members-(29) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
Appendix D: Abbreviations for Selected International Environmental Agreements
A Air Pollution
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Nitrogen Oxides Protocol)
Air Pollution-Sulphur
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Sulphur Protocol)
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol)
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
B Biodiversity
Convention on Biological Diversity
C Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
E Endangered Species
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
Environmental Modification
Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
H Hazardous Wastes
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
L Law of the Sea
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
M Marine Dumping
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter; note – also known as the London Convention Marine Life Conservation
Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
N Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
O Ozone Layer Protection
Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
S Ship Pollution
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL)
T Tropical Timber
International Tropical Timber Agreement
W Wetlands
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat; note – also known as Ramsar Whaling
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
Note: Not all of the selected international environmental agreements have abbreviations.
6 April 1994
Appendix E: Selected International Environmental Agreements
Air Pollution
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
—–
Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Nitrogen Oxides Protocol)
—–
Air Pollution-Sulphur
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Sulphur Protocol)
—–
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol)
—–
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
see Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
—–
Antarctic Treaty
date opened for signature – 1959
objective – to ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes, for international cooperation in scientific research, and that it does not become the scene or object of international discord
parties – (42) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay
—–
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
note – abbreviated as Hazardous Wastes
date opened for signature – 1989
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
parties – (65) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Bolivia, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Venezuela
—–
Biodiversity
see Convention on Biological Diversity
—–
Convention on Biological Diversity
note – abbreviated as Biodiversity
date opened for signature – 1992
objective – to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
parties – (53) Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Burkina, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, European Union, Fiji, Germany, Guinea, Hungary, India, Japan, Jordan, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, former Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe
—–
Climate Change
see United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
—–
Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
note – abbreviated as Marine Life Conservation
date opened for signature – 1958
objective – to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that through the development of modern techniques some of these resources are in danger of being over exploited
parties – (37) Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina, Cambodia, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Finland, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, former Yugoslavia
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (Canada signed on behalf of Taiwan), Tunisia, Uruguay
—–
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
note – abbreviated as Air Pollution
date opened for signature – 1979
objective – to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution
parties – (38) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, former Yugoslavia
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Holy See, San Marino
—–
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Nitrogen Oxides Protocol)
note – abbreviated as Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides
date opened for signature – 1988
objective – to provide for the control or reduction of nitrogen oxides and their transboundary fluxes
parties – (23) Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Spain
—–
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Sulphur Protocol)
note – abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur
date opened for signature – 1985; a second protocol to further reduce sulfur dioxide emissions was completed in 1994
objective – to provide for a 30% reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes by 1993
parties – (21) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine
—–
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol)
note – abbreviated as Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds
date opened for signature – 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
parties – (8) Finland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, European Union, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
—–
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
note – abbreviated as Endangered Species
date opened for signature – 1973
objective – to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits
parties – (104) Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Cambodia, Ireland, Kuwait, Lesotho, Vietnam
—–
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
note – abbreviated as Marine Dumping
date opened for signature – 1972
objective – to control pollution of the sea by dumping, and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention
parties – (70) Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, European Union, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Libya, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, former Yugoslavia, Zaire
—–
Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
note – abbreviated as Environmental Modification
date opened for signature – 1976
objective – to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations
parties – (62) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Bolivia, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Nicaragua, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Turkey, Uganda, Zaire
—–
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)
note – abbreviated as Wetlands
date opened for signature – 1971
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
parties – (65) Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina, Canada, Chad, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, former Yugoslavia, Zambia
—–
Endangered Species
see Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
—–
Environmental Modification
see Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
—–
Hazardous Wastes
see Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
—–
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL)
note – abbreviated as Ship Pollution
date opened for signature – 1973/78
objective – to preserve the marine environment by achieving the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances
parties – (83) Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, China, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, former Yugoslavia
—–
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
note – abbreviated as Whaling
date opened for signature – 1946
objective – to protect all species of whales from overfishing and safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks
parties – (39) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
—–
International Tropical Timber Agreement
note – abbreviated as Tropical Timber
date opened for signature – 1983; a new agreement was opened for signature in 1994, but is not yet in 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
parties – (45) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Zaire
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the agreement: Bolivia, Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire, European Union, Honduras, Peru, Philippines
—–
Law of the Sea
see United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
—–
Marine Dumping
see Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
—–
Marine Life Conservation
see Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas
—–
Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
note – abbreviated as Ozone Layer Protection
date opened for signature – 1987
objective – to protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control emissions of substances that deplete it
parties – (136) Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, European Union, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the protocol: Congo, Morocco
—–
Nuclear Test Ban
see Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
—–
Ozone Layer Protection
see Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
—–
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
note – abbreviated as Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
date opened for signature – 1991, but not yet in force
objective – to enhance the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems
parties – (9) Argentina, Australia, Ecuador, France, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Spain, Sweden
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the protocol: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay
—–
Ship Pollution
see International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL)
—–
Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water
note – abbreviated as Nuclear Test Ban
date opened for signature – 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
parties – (112) Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, former Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the treaty: Algeria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mali, Paraguay, Portugal, Somalia, Vietnam
—–
Tropical Timber
see International Tropical Timber Agreement
—–
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)
note – abbreviated as Law of the Sea
date opened for signature – 1982, but not yet in force
objective – to set up a comprehensive new legal regime for the sea and oceans and, as far as environmental provisions are concerned, to establish material rules concerning environmental standards as well as enforcement provisions dealing with pollution of the marine environment
parties – (60) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Paraguay, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen, former Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, European Union, Finland, France, Gabon, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa
—–
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
note – abbreviated as Climate Change
date opened for signature – 1992
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
parties – (64) Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, European Union, Fiji, France, Germany, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, India, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Tuvulu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
note – the following countries have signed, but not yet ratified the convention: Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, former Yugoslavia, Zaire
—–
Wetlands
see Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)
—–
Whaling
see International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
Appendix F: Weights and Measures
Mathematical Notation
Mathematical Power Name 10^18 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 one quintillion 10^15 or 1,000,000,000,000,000 one quadrillion 10^12 or 1,000,000,000,000 one trillion 10^9 or 1,000,000,000 one billion 10^6 or 1,000,000 one million 10^3 or 1,000 one thousand 10^2 or 100 one hundred 10^1 or 10 ten
10^0 or 1 one
10-^1 or 0.1 one-tenth 10-^2 or 0.01 one-hundredth 10-^3 or 0.001 one-thousandth 10-^6 or 0.000 001 one-millionth 10-^9 or 0.000 000 001 one-billionth 10-^12 or 0.000 000 000 001 one-trillionth 10-^15 or 0.000 000 000 000 001 one-quadrillionth 10-^18 or 0.000 000 000 000 000 00 one-quintillionth
Metric Interrelationships
Conversions from a multiple or submultiple to the basic units of meters, liters, or grams can be done using the table. For example, to convert from kilometers to meters, multiply by 1,000 (9.26 kilometers equals 9,260 meters) or to convert from meters to kilometers, multiply by 0.001 (9,260 meters equals 9.26 kilometers).
Prefix Symbol Length, weight, or capacity Area Volume exa E 10^18 10^36 10^54 peta P 10^15 10^30 10^45 tera T 10^12 10^24 10^36 giga G 10^9 10^18 10^27 mega M 10^6 10^12 10^18 hectokilo hk 10^5 10^10 10^15 myria ma 10^4 10^8 10^12 kilo k 10^3 10^6 10^9 hecto h 10^2 10^4 10^6 basic unit – 1 meter, 1 meter^2 1 meter^3 1 gram,
1 liter
deci d 10-^1 10-^2 10-^3 centi c 10-^2 10-^4 10-^6 milli m 10-^3 10-^6 10-^9 decimilli dm 10-^4 10-^8 10-^12 centimilli cm 10-^5 10-^10 10-^15 micro u 10-^6 10-^12 10-^18 nano n 10-^9 10-^18 10-^27 pico p 10-^12 10-^24 10-^36 femto f 10-^15 10-^30 10-^45 atto a 10-^18 10-^36 10-^54
Equivalents
Units Metric Equivalent US Equivalent
acre 0.404 685 64 hectares 43,560 feet^2 acre 4,046,856 4 meters^2 4,840 yards^2 acre 0.004 046 856 4 0.001 562 5 miles^2, kilometers^2 statute are 100 meters^2 119.599 yards^2 barrel
(petroleum, US) 158.987 29 liters 42 gallons (proof spirits, US) 151.416 47 liters 40 gallons (beer, US) 117.347 77 liters 31 gallons bushel 35.239 07 liters 4 pecks cable 219.456 meters 120 fathoms chain (surveyor’s) 20.116 8 meters 66 feet cord (wood) 3.624 556 meters^3 128 feet^3 cup 0.236 588 2 liters 8 ounces, liquid (US) degrees, Celsius (water boils at 100 multiply by 1.8 and add 32 degrees C, freezes at to obtain degrees F 0 degrees C) degrees, Fahrenheit subtract 32 and divide water boils at 212 degrees by 1.8 to obtain F, freezes at 32 degrees F) degrees C
dram, avdp. 1.771 845 2 grams 0.0625 5 ounces, avdp. dram, troy 3.887 934 6 grams 0.125 ounces, troy dram, liquid (US) 3.696 69 milliliters 0.125 ounces, liquid fathom 1.828 8 meters 6 feet foot 30.48 centimeters 12 inches foot 0.304 8 meters 0.333 333 3 yards foot 0.000 304 8 kilometers 0.000 189 39 miles, statute foot^2 929.030 4 centimeters^2 144 inches^2 foot^2 0.092 903 04 meters^2 0.111 111 1 yards^2 foot^3 28.316 846 592 liters 7.480 519 gallons foot^3 0.028 316 847 meters^3 1,728 inches^3 furlong 201.168 meters 220 yards gallon, liquid (US) 3.785 411 784 liters 4 quarts, liquid gill (US) 118.294 118 milliliters 4 ounces, liquid grain 64.798 91 milligrams 0.002 285 71 ounces, advp. gram 1,000 milligrams 0.035 273 96 ounces, advp. hand (height of horse) 10.16 centimeters 4 inches hectare 10,000 meters^2 2.471 053 8 acres hundredweight, long 50.802 345 kilograms 112 pounds, avdp. hundredweight, short 45.359 237 kilograms 100 pounds, avdp. inch 2.54 centimeters 0.083 333 33 feet inch^2 6.451 6 centimeters^2 0.006 944 44 feet^2 inch^3 16.387 064 centimeters^3 0.000 578 7 feet^3 inch^3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.029 761 6 pints, dry inch^3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.034 632 0 pints, liquid kilogram 0.001 tons, metric 2.204 623 pounds, avdp. kilometer 1,000 meters 0.621 371 19 miles, statute kilometer^2 100 hectares 247.105 38 acres kilometer^2 1,000,000 meters^2 0.386 102 16 miles^2, statute
knot (1 nautical
mi/hr) 1.852 kilometers/hour 1.151 statute miles/hour league, nautical 5.559 552 kilometers 3 miles, nautical league, statute 4.828.032 kilometers 3 miles, statute link (surveyor’s) 20.116 8 centimeters 7.92 inches liter 0.001 meters^3 61.023 74 inches^3 liter 0.1 dekaliter 0.908 083 quarts, dry liter 1,000 milliliters 1.056 688 quarts, liquid meter 100 centimeters 1.093 613 yards meter^2 10,000 centimeters^2 1.195 990 yards^2 meter^3 1,000 liters 1.307 951 yards^3 micron 0.000 001 meter 0.000 039 4 inches mil 0.025 4 millimeters 0.001 inch mile, nautical 1.852 kilometers 1.150 779 4 miles, statute mile^2, nautical 3.429 904 kilometers^2 1.325 miles^2, statute mile, statute 1.609 344 kilometers 5,280 feet or 8 furlongs mile^2, statute 258.998 811 hectares 640 acres or 1 section mile^2, statute 2.589 988 11
kilometers^2 0.755 miles^2, nautical minim (US) 0.061 611 52 milliliters 0.002 083 33 ounces, liquid or one-sixtieth of a dram ounce, avdp. 28.349 523 125 grams 437.5 grains ounce, liquid (US) 29.573 53 milliliters 0.062 5 pints, liquid ounce, troy 31.103 476 8 grams 480 grains pace 76.2 centimeters 30 inches peck 8.809 767 5 liters 8 quarts, dry pennyweight 1.555 173 84 grams 24 grains pint, dry (US) 0.550 610 47 liters 0.5 quarts, dry pint, liquid (US) 0.473 176 473 liters 0.5 quarts, liquid point (typographical) 0.351 459 8 millimeters 0.013 837 inches pound, avdp 453.592 37 grams 16 ounces, avdp pound, troy 373.241 721 6 grams 12 ounces, troy quart, dry (US) 1.101 221 liters 2 pints, dry quart, liquid (US) 0.946 352 946 liters 2 pints, liquid quintal 100 kilograms 220.462 26 pounds, avdp. rod 5.029 2 meters 5.5 yards scruple 1.295 978 2 grams 20 grains section (US) 2.589 988 1 kilometers^2 1 mile^2, statute or 640 acres
span 22.86 centimeters 9 inches stere 1 meter^3 1.307 95 yards^3 tablespoon 14.786 76 milliliters 3 teaspoons teaspoon 4.928 922 milliliters 0.333 333 tablespoons ton, long or
deadweight 1,016.046 909 kilograms 2,240 pounds, avdp. ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 2,204.623 pounds, avdp. ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 32,150.75 ounces, troy ton, register 2.831 684 7 meters^3 100 feet^3 ton, short 907.184 74 kilograms 2,000 pounds, avdp. township (US) 93.239 572 kilometers^2 36 miles^2, statute yard 0.914 4 meters 3 feet yard^2 0.836 127 36 meters^2 9 feet^2 yard^3 0.764 554 86 meters^3 27 feet^3