“Ratification” designates the international act whereby a State or regional economic integration organization affirms its consent to be bound by a treaty. The Convention is thus submitted to the ratification, acceptance, approval or accession of the Member States of UNESCO whose instruments have been deposited with the Organization’s Director-General (Article 26). It is also open to accession by non-Member States of UNESCO and regional economic integration organizations (Article 27).

Thus a Member State or regional economic integration organization wishing to become a party to the Convention must ratify it. The internal procedure leading to the deposit of the instrument of ratification with the Director-General of UNESCO varies considerably in terms of its duration and mode of implementation, as it is specific to each Member State or regional economic integration organization.

A model of the instrument of ratification (or acceptance, accession or approval, as appropriate) (PDF):

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INSTRUMENT OF RATIFICATION

Whereas the ... (title of the Convention) ... is open to ratification by ... (name of the country) ..., under the terms of its Article ... (number of applicable Article) ...,

Now therefore the Government of ... (name of the country) ... having considered the aforesaid Convention hereby ratify the said Convention and undertake faithfully to carry out the stipulations therein contained.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have signed and sealed this instrument.

Done at ... (place) ..., this day of ... (date) ...

(Signature)

Head of State or Prime Minister or Minister of Foreign Affairs

(Seal)

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Source: UNESCO Legal Instruments