The Convention on Cluster Munitions was opened for signature in December 2008 and took effect in August 2010.
These are the subject of the Unidroit Convention, which was opened for signature by UNESCO in 1995.
Preliminary work on the monitoring system began in late 1996 after the treaty was opened for signature and has been accelerating ever since.
The more important question now is whether we are witnessing the end of the formal nuclear order defined by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was opened for signature in 1968.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was opened for signature on December 16, 1966, and entered into force on January 3 , 1976
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), likewise a part of the International Bill of Human Rights, was opened for signature on December 19 , 1966 and entered into force on March 23 , 1976
In 1993 the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibited the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons and called for the destruction of existing stockpiles within 10 years, was opened for signature.
As of 2013 a total of 180 states and Taiwan had signed the Biological Weapons Convention BWCC) and 170 of those states and Taiwan had signed and ratified the treaty, which was opened for signature in 1972.
The two covenants were to contain as many similar provisions as possible, and be opened for signature simultaneously.
It was opened for signature on 24 September 2009, and as of February 2013 has been signed by 40 parties and ratified by 10.
