treaty

A treaty is a formally concluded and binding agreement between states or international organizations. As a source of international law, treaties establish obligations between parties and are governed by the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. They serve as primary mechanisms for states to cooperate on various issues such as trade, human rights, environmental protection, and security.

Treaties typically require ratification through domestic constitutional processes, which may involve legislative approval or executive action depending on a country's legal system. Once in force, treaties create rights and duties under international law that can only be modified by subsequent agreements or according to the treaty's provisions.

Famous historical treaties include the Treaty of Westphalia which established state sovereignty, the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, and more recent agreements like the Paris Climate Accord. While most treaties are between states, some also involve international organizations or non-state actors under certain circumstances.