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
parties — (39) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Brazil,
Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Germany,
Grenada, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, Monaco,
Netherlands (Netherlands also extended the convention to Netherlands
Antilles), New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Russia, Saint Kitts and
Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal,
Seychelles (withdrawing effective 30 June 1995), Solomon Islands,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United
States, Venezuela
countries that have signed, but not yet ratified — (1) Austria
former parties — (10) Belize, Canada, Ecuador, Egypt, Iceland, Jamaica, Mauritius, Panama, Philippines, Uruguay
International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983
note — abbreviated as Tropical Timber 83
opened for signature — 18 November 1983
entered into force — 1 April 1985; this agreement will expire when the International Tropical Timber Ageement, 1994 goes into force