VCLT 1969

The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969, in force since 1980, codifies the rules for how treaties are made, interpreted, amended, and terminated. Its interpretation articles, 31 and 32, govern how tribunals read UNCLOS and IMO conventions: the ordinary meaning of the terms in their context and in light of the treaty’s object and purpose, with travaux as a supplementary means. Article 26 states pacta sunt servanda, that treaties in force bind the parties and must be performed in good faith.