Saint Kitts and Nevis is a state party to a wide array of international treaties and conventions. These fall under international organizations inter alia the United Nations, The Hague Conventions, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization, the Organization of American State (OAS), as well as some regional ones such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the depositary for all regional and international agreements signed by the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Links to International Treaties and Conventions

Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary-General

Status of Conventions

Ratification by Convention

States go through several steps in order to be in a position to apply a Treaty when it enters into force. Signature is a first step; the next step is the ratification of the Treaty. It is the formal act by which a State Signatory consents to become bound by the Treaty upon its entry into force.

The next step, which may precede or be combined with ratification, or which may immediately follow it, is the adoption of national implementation legislation. Such legislation is necessary in order to give effect to a State Party’s obligations under the Treaty within its own jurisdiction and in its domestic law.

If a State does not sign a Treaty before its entry into force it may accede to it at any time thereafter. Though accession and ratification has the same legal effect, the procedures differ. In the case of ratification, the State first signs and then ratifies the treaty. The procedure for accession has only one step – it is not preceded by an act of signature.

Ratification or Accession Instruments are usually prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the respective line Ministry.