INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, GENERAL ASPECTS

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the general aspects of international organizations. The term international organizations denotes an association of States established by and based upon a treaty, which pursues common aims and which has its own special organs to fulfill particular functions within the organization. As international organizations are necessarily based upon multilateral treaties, the law of treaties forms a part of the law of international organizations. Ratification is required for the entry into force of the constituent treaty of an international organization, either by all signatory States, a specified number of States, a majority of States, certain named States, or a combination of these possibilities such as ratification by certain States together with a majority of the others or ratification by a specified number including certain specified States. International organizations may be established for a specified period of time. Alternatively, they may be established for an indefinite period, which may be provided for expressly but would be implied if the treaty was silent on the matter.