The Vienna Convention on Succession of States in Respect of State Property, Archives and Debts is an international treaty opened for signature in 1983 to set rules on succession of states.

The convention was adopted on 7 April 1983, and was opened for signature on 8 April 1983, by the United Nations Conference on Succession of States in respect of State Property, Archives and Debts. The Convention remained open for signature until 30 June 1984, and it has not entered into force due to the lack of signatories.

It was adopted partly in response to the "profound transformation of the international community brought about by the decolonization process", and it aimed to address the "need for the codification and progressive development of the rules relating to succession of States in respect of State property, archives and debts as a means for ensuring greater juridical security in international relations".

Reasons for low adoption According to the International Law Association,The Vienna Convention on Succession of States in Respect of State Property, Archives and Debts generally adopted subsidiary rules, privileging agreement amongst the concerned States. The only exception is the applicable rules regarding the newly independent States, stating that agreements cannot overrule the principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources. The favorable treatment accorded to these States lead to the rejection of the Convention by many States.

Parties to the Convention

As of February 2019, there are 7 state parties which have ratified the convention. A further 7 states signed the convention but have not ratified it. ParticipantSignatureRatification, Accession (a)Algeria16 May 1983Argentina30 December 1983Croatia11 April 1994, aEgypt30 June 1984Estonia21 October 1991, aGeorgia12 July 1993, aLiberia16 September 2005, aMontenegro23 October 2006Niger23 May 1984North Macedonia2 September 1997, aPeru10 November 1983Serbia12 March 2001Slovenia15 August 2002, aUkraine8 January 1993, a

See also

Vienna Convention on Succession of States in Respect of Treaties

References