International Conventions
🌍 ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY
Stockholm Conference (1972) – First major conference on global environmental issues; led to formation of UNEP.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992) – Conservation, sustainable use, and fair sharing of genetic resources.
Cartagena Protocol (2000) – Biosafety protocol under CBD concerning GMOs.
Nagoya Protocol (2010) – Access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources.
UNFCCC (1992) – Framework for international cooperation on climate change.
Kyoto Protocol (1997) – Legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.
Paris Agreement (2015) – Limit global warming to below 2°C with NDCs.
Montreal Protocol (1987) – Phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.
Vienna Convention (1985) – Framework to protect the ozone layer.
RAMSAR Convention (1971) – Conservation and wise use of wetlands.
CITES (1973) – Regulates international trade in endangered species.
CMS (1979) – Convention on conservation of migratory species.
Basel Convention (1989) – Control of transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
Rotterdam Convention (1998) – Prior informed consent for hazardous chemicals.
Minamata Convention (2013) – Regulation of mercury emissions.
UNCCD (1994) – Combat desertification and land degradation.
🕊️ HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948) – Foundation of international human rights.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966) – Protects civil and political rights.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966) – Protects social and economic rights.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) – Women’s rights and gender equality.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989) – Rights and protections for children.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006) – Protects rights of persons with disabilities.
Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD, 1965) – Prohibits racial discrimination.
ILO Core Conventions (Various years) – Protect labor rights (e.g., ILO C138 – Minimum Age; C182 – Child Labour).
🔐 DISARMAMENT & SECURITY
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT, 1968) – Prevents spread of nuclear weapons.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT, 1996) – Bans all nuclear tests (not yet in force).
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC, 1972) – Bans development and stockpiling of biological weapons.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC, 1992) – Prohibits chemical weapons.
Arms Trade Treaty (ATT, 2013) – Regulates international trade in conventional arms.
⚖️ GOVERNANCE & ECONOMY
UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC, 2003) – Combat global corruption.
🌍 ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY
Stockholm Conference (1972) – First major conference on global environmental issues; led to formation of UNEP.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992) – Conservation, sustainable use, and fair sharing of genetic resources.
Cartagena Protocol (2000) – Biosafety protocol under CBD concerning GMOs.
Nagoya Protocol (2010) – Access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources.
UNFCCC (1992) – Framework for international cooperation on climate change.
Kyoto Protocol (1997) – Legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.
Paris Agreement (2015) – Limit global warming to below 2°C with NDCs.
Montreal Protocol (1987) – Phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.
Vienna Convention (1985) – Framework to protect the ozone layer.
RAMSAR Convention (1971) – Conservation and wise use of wetlands.
CITES (1973) – Regulates international trade in endangered species.
CMS (1979) – Convention on conservation of migratory species.
Basel Convention (1989) – Control of transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
Rotterdam Convention (1998) – Prior informed consent for hazardous chemicals.
Minamata Convention (2013) – Regulation of mercury emissions.
UNCCD (1994) – Combat desertification and land degradation.
🕊️ HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948) – Foundation of international human rights.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966) – Protects civil and political rights.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966) – Protects social and economic rights.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) – Women’s rights and gender equality.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989) – Rights and protections for children.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006) – Protects rights of persons with disabilities.
Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD, 1965) – Prohibits racial discrimination.
ILO Core Conventions (Various years) – Protect labor rights (e.g., ILO C138 – Minimum Age; C182 – Child Labour).
🔐 DISARMAMENT & SECURITY
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT, 1968) – Prevents spread of nuclear weapons.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT, 1996) – Bans all nuclear tests (not yet in force).
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC, 1972) – Bans development and stockpiling of biological weapons.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC, 1992) – Prohibits chemical weapons.
Arms Trade Treaty (ATT, 2013) – Regulates international trade in conventional arms.
⚖️ GOVERNANCE & ECONOMY
UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC, 2003) – Combat global corruption.