International Agreements on the Use of Tropical Hardwood International Conventions – Tropical hardwoods such as mahogany are in high demand in rich countries to make furniture. This high demand leads to an increase in the rate of illegal deforestation. To overcome these international agreements, there is a restriction of wood that does not come from a sustainable source imported into the countries. FSC is an example. The Forest Stewardship Council buys sustainable wood and identifies these products with their logo so that traders know that the wood is being purchased sustainably. Under international law, a treaty is a legally binding agreement between states (countries). A treaty can be called a convention, protocol, pact, agreement, etc. It is the content of the agreement, not its name, that makes it a treaty. Thus, the Geneva Protocol and the Biological Weapons Convention are the two treaties, although neither treaty in its name. Under U.S. law, a treaty is a legally binding agreement between countries that requires ratification and „consultation and approval” of the Senate. All other agreements (internationally treated) are called executive agreements, but are nevertheless legally binding on the United States under international law.

There are also international agreements on the use of tropical hardwoods and logging. The International Tropical Woods Agreement was established in 2006 to „promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests and promote the sustainable management of tropical timber-producing forests.” 71 countries have signed the UN-sponsored agreement. In addition to treaties, there are other less formal international agreements. These include efforts such as the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the G7 Global Partnership Against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Although the PSI has a „declaration of prohibition principles” and the G7 Global Partnership includes several statements by G7 heads of state and government, it also does not have a legally binding document that sets specific obligations and is signed or ratified by member states. The IHR (2005) is an international agreement between 194 States Parties and the World Health Organization on surveillance, sunshine and response to all events that could pose a threat to international public health. The objective of the IHR (2005) is to prevent, protect, control and respond to a public health response to the spread of diseases internationally, in a manner adapted to public health risks, limited to them, avoiding unnecessary intervention in international transport and trade. (International Health Regulations, Article 2). For more information, please see THE LA fact sheets. If a contract does not contain provisions for other agreements or measures, only the text of the treaty is legally binding. In general, an amendment to the Treaty only commits the States that have ratified it and the agreements reached at review conferences, summits or meetings of the States Parties are not legally binding. The Charter of the United Nations is an example of a treaty that contains provisions for other binding agreements.

By signing and ratifying the Charter, countries have agreed to be legally bound by resolutions adopted by UN bodies such as the General Assembly and the Security Council. Therefore, UN resolutions are legally binding on UN member states and no signature or ratification is required. b) International agreements – The rainforest provides wood for furniture and is in high demand because of its good quality. This is why many international agreements make the policy that the countries concerned will completely ban the trade in hardwoods.