The text of the Convention was adopted at the United Nations Headquarters, New York on the 9 May 1992; it was open for signature at the Rio de Janeiro from 4 to 14 June 1992, and thereafter at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, from 20 June 1992 to 19 June 1993. By that date the Convention had received 166 signatures. The Convention entered into force on 21 March 1994. Those States that have not signed the Convention may accede to it at any time.

The Convention Status of Ratification (377 kB) contains the latest information concerning dates of signature and ratification received from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as Depositary of the Convention. The dates in the column entitled "ratification" are those of the receipt of the instrument of ratification (R), acceptance (At), approval (Ap), accession (Ac) or succession (Su). For an explanation of these legal terms you can visit the United Treaty Collection.