Towards Promoting International Legal Framework on Human Mobility, Annual Treaty Event Encourages Countries to Join Multilateral Instruments

In a continuing effort to encourage wider participation in the Multilateral Treaty Framework, the United Nations is hosting the annual Treaty Event at its Headquarters from 19 to 23 September.  During the event, Member States are invited to sign multilateral treaties deposited with the United Nations Secretary-General or become party to them by depositing instruments of ratification or accession.

This year’s event is devoted to the international legal framework of human mobility, given that its opening day coincides with the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants.  To underline the commitment of the United Nations to the rights of refugees and migrants, a spotlight is put on treaties relating to refugees, stateless persons, human rights, economic and social rights, justice and the environment alongside instruments aimed at combating trafficking in humans and the smuggling of migrants.

“This body of treaty law protects the rights of people on the move, addresses irregular migration and promotes non-discrimination,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his invitation letter to Member States.  “The Treaty Event will provide a distinct opportunity for States to sign, ratify or accede to multilateral treaties deposited with me or withdraw reservations to treaties to which they are already party.”

Among the highlighted treaties is the Paris Agreement on climate change, which also deals with climate change-related displacement.  That instrument opened for signature on 22 April 2016 and garnered a historic record of 175 signatories on its opening.  For the Agreement to enter into force it requires that 55 States, representing 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, ratify, accept or approve it.  “I urge you to use the Treaty Event to ratify this important Agreement,” Mr. Ban stated in his letter.

Dignitaries are invited to hand their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of the Paris Agreement to the Secretary-General at a high-level event on 21 September, to be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the General Assembly Hall.

The Paris Agreement is one of more than 560 multilateral treaties deposited with the Secretary-General, covering all aspects of the Organization’s work, from human rights, the environment, disarmament and the fight against terrorism to criminal matters, health, trade and transport.  The Treaty Event may be used to sign, ratify or accede to any of those treaties.

Starting in 2000, the Treaty Event has been held annually and has since resulted in 1,990 treaty-related actions, including signatures, ratifications and accessions.  This year’s event is expected to pass the landmark with 2,000 treaty-related actions.

For more information on the 2016 Treaty Event, visit treaties.un.org

For media queries, contact Martina Donlon, Department of Public Information, at donlon@un.org or +1 212 963 6816.