Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Signed: 3 March 1973
Ratified: 15 July 1975

The main objectives of this convention are the protection of endangered species prominent in international trade through appropriate trade control measures and monitoring the status of such species.
This convention has a high profile in South Africa, as well as internationally.
South Africa participated in the 1973 Washington Conference during which the convention was drafted, and ratified the convention in 1975.
http://www.cites.org

Basel Convention - Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Ratified: May 1994
Acceded: 5 April 1994

The main objectives of the convention are the reduction of the production of hazardous waste and the restriction of transboundary movement and disposal of such waste.
It also aims to ensure that any transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste, when allowed, is strictly controlled and is undertaken in an environmentally sound and responsible way. Locally, draft regulations are being prepared in an effort to control the movement of such waste.
http://www.basel.int

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Signed: June 1993
Ratified: 2 November 1995

The aim of the CBD is to effect international cooperation in the conservation of biological diversity and to promote the sustainable use of living natural resources worldwide. It also aims to bring about the sharing of the benefits arising from the utilisation of natural resources.
http://www.biodiv.org

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Signed: 15 June 1993, 27 August 1997
Ratified: 29 August 1997

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed by 154 governments in Rio de Janeiro during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in June 1992. The convention addresses the threat of global climate change by urging governments to reduce the sources of greenhouse gases. The ultimate objective of the convention is to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climate system of the world.
http://www.unfccc.de

Convention on Prior Information Consent (PIC) - Rotterdam

Signed: September 1998

Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for international trade in certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
A final text for the Convention was negotiated in March 1998. South Africa signed the final Act in September 1998 and intends to ratify it shortly. This convention will come into force during the year 2000.
The Convention will ensure obligatory detailed information exchange between countries on hazardous chemicals and pesticides allowing informed decision-making on the national use of such chemicals.
http://www.pic.int
http://www.chem.unep.ch/pic/

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
(Convention under negotiation)

To take international action to minimise risks associated with POP chemicals already identified and proven to pose a threat to the environment and human health through their toxicity and persistence.

To further identify additional POPs as candidates for future international action
http://www.chem.unep.ch/pops/

Bonn Convention - Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

Acceded: December 1991

This convention was organised in response to the need for nations to cooperate in the conservation of animals that migrate across their borders. These include terrestrial mammals, reptiles, marine species and birds. Special attention is paid to endangered species. South Africa is a major partner in this convention as it is the terminus for many of the migratory species, including the Palaeoarctic (birds) and the Antarctic species (whales and birds).
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/cms

Antarctic Treaty

Signed: 1 December 1959
Ratified: 21 June 1960

Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)
Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP)

The main purpose of the Antarctic Treaty is to regulate relations between countries involved in research in Antarctica.
Included in the provisions of the treaty are that Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only, to promote international cooperation for the exchange of information and the freedom of scientific investigation.
South Africa, through its membership of the treaty, which includes the ratification of the Conventions for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, the Agreed Measures of the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora and the Protocol on Environment Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, remains party to any decision-making with regard to Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic.
http://www.unog.ch/frames/disarm/distreat/antarc.htm
SCAR
http://www.scar.org
COMNAP
http://www.comnap.aq

World Heritage Convention - Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Ratified: 10 July 1997

The convention aims to promote cooperation among nations to protect all forms of natural and cultural heritage that are of such outstanding universal value that their conservation is of concern to all people. UNESCO adopted the convention in 1972. At present 144 countries are parties to it.
http://www.unesco.org/whc

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Serious Droughts and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa

Signed: 9 January 1995
Ratified: 30 September 1997
Acceded: June 1994

Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas and does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts. It is caused primarily by human activities, through over-exploitation and inappropriate land use, and by climate variations. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is responsible, with the advice from representatives from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector, for the coordination of the implementation of this convention in South Africa.
http://www.unccd.int

Ramsar Convention - Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat.

Signed: 12 March 1975
Ratified: 12 March 1975

The broad aims of this convention are to stem the loss and promote the wise use of all wetlands. The convention addresses one of the most important issues in South Africa, namely the conservation of the country’s water supplies for the use of both the natural and the human environments.
South Africa has designated 15 sites to the List of Wetlands of International Importance. A number of others are under consideration.
A Wetland Conservation Bill has been proposed which will help South Africa to meet the aims of the convention.
http://www.ramsar.org

Montreal Protocol - Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

Ratified: 15 January 1990
Acceded: 15 January 1990

The protocol is aimed at ensuring measures to protect the earth's ozone layer. South Africa also ratified the subsequent London Amendments to the protocol on 12 May 1992, which were designed to restrict the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. Parliament has approved the ratification of the Copenhagen Amendments to the Protocol and the necessary steps are now being taken for the instrument for ratification to be deposited. South Africa has, however, acted in full compliance with these amendments.
http://www.unep.org/ozone/montreal.shtml
http://www-esd.worldbank.org/mp

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (UNCLOS)

Signed: 1994
Ratified: 20 August 1997
Acceded: December 1982

UNCLOS represents a codification of international law rules for states to observe in marine-related operations. It does not establish any international programmes.
However, it does institutionalise an International Sea Bed Authority to oversee the exploration of deep seabed minerals and a Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shell.
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_convention.htm

Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of 10 December 1982, relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.

The main objectives of the agreement are to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, to improve cooperation between states to that end, and to ensure more effective enforcement by flag states, port states and coastal states of conservation and management measures adopted for such stocks, particularly on the high seas.
South Africa has a well-developed fishing industry which is supported by substantial capital investment and creates significant job opportunities.
The industry is dependent on the sustained utilisation of available living marine resources and on the sound management/conservation of such resources along with the marine environment as a whole.
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_fish_stocks.htm

Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

Ratified: 1982
Acceded: September 1980

Agreement to manage and regulate the exploitation of Antarctic marine living resources. A South African scientist is currently chairman of the Scientific Committee. The National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism contributes to the Ecosystem Monitoring Programme.
South Africa is one of only four nations with undisputed sovereignty in the convention area.
http://www.ccamlr.org

The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (IWC)

South Africa is a founder member of the IWC and has a proud record regarding the conservation of whales and research on whale management.
http://www.ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/iwcoffice/Convention.htm
http://www.oceanlaw.net/texts/iwc.htm