THE INTERNATIONAL COSPAS-SARSAT PROGRAMME AGREEMENT
THE INTERNATIONAL COSPAS-SARSAT PROGRAMME AGREEMENT
Whole document
THE STATES PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT:
NOTING the successful implementation of the COSPAS-SARSAT Search and
Rescue Satellite System established under a Memorandum of Understanding
among the Ministry of Merchant Marine of the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the
United States of America, the Department of National Defence of Canada and
the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales of France which was signed on 5
October 1984 and came into effect on 8 July 1985;
DESIRING to strengthen the close international cooperation in this
humanitarian endeavour;
AWARE of the efforts in the International Maritime Organization to
establish a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, building on the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, done at London on
1 November 1974, on the Convention and Operating Agreement of the
International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), done at London
on 3 September 1976, and the International Convention on Maritime Search
and Rescue, done at Hamburg on 27 April 1979, as well as the
responsibilities of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the
International Telecommunication Union in their respective fields;
CONVINCED that a worldwide satellite system to provide alert and
location services for maritime, aviation and terrestrial distress and
safety is important for the efficient operation of search and rescue;
RECALLING the provisions of the Treaty on Principles Governing the
Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including
the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, of 27 January 1967, and other
multilateral agreements regarding the use of outer space to which they are
Party;
RECOGNIZING that it is therefore desirable to operate the
COSPAS-SARSAT system, in accordance with international law, so as to
endeavour to provide long term alert and location services in support of
search and rescue and access to the System to all States on a
non-discriminatory basis, and free of charge for the end-user in distress;
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS
- `Party' means a State for which this Agreement has entered into
force;
- `Programme' means those activities carried out by the Parties to
provide, operate and coordinate the COSPAS-SARSAT System, in accordance
with this Agreement;
- `Cooperating Agency' means an organization designated by a Party in
the purpose of implementing the Programme;
- `System' means the COSPAS-SARSAT System comprising a Space Segment,
a Ground Segment and Radiobeacons, all as described in Article 3;
- `Ground Segment Provider' means any State which establishes and
operates Ground Segment equipment under the terms of Article 11.2;
- `User State' means any State that avails itself of the System under
the terms of Article 12.2 and Article 12.3.
ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE OF THE AGREEMENT
In fostering international cooperation for search and rescue, the
purpose of this Agreement is to:
(a) assure the long term operation of the System;
(b) provide distress alert and location data from the System to
the international community in support of search and rescue operations on
a non-discriminatory basis;
(c) support, by providing these distress alert and location data,
the objectives of the International Maritime Organization and the
International Civil Aviation Organization, concerning search and rescue;
and
(d) define the means by which the Parties shall coordinate the
management of the System and cooperate with other national authorities and
relevant international organizations in the operation and coordination of
the System.
ARTICLE 3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM
3.1 The System comprises:
(a) a Space Segment made up, under normal operating conditions, of
at least four compatible satellite assemblies each comprising three basic
units:
(i) a platform moving in low earth polar orbit as a mounting
for the other units,
(ii) a receiver-processor and memory unit designed to receive,
process and store signals received on 406 MHz for retransmission, and
(iii) a repeater unit relaying radiobeacon signals on 121.5
MHz;
(b) a Ground Segment comprising:
(i) Local User Terminals established by the Parties and other
States to receive signals relayed by the satellites and process them to
determine radiobeacon location, and
(ii) Mission Control Centres established by the Parties and
other States to accept the output from the Local User Terminals and convey
distress alert and location data to appropriate authorities;
(c) radiobeacons, which are designed to be activated in a distress
and to transmit a radio signal on frequencies of 406 MHz and/or 121.5 MHz,
the characteristics of which comply with appropriate provisions of the
International Telecommunication Union and COSPAS-SARSAT specifications.
3.2 The COSPAS-SARSAT Space Segment configuration may be enhanced in
accordance with decisions of the Council established pursuant to Article 7
and 8.
ARTICLE 4 COOPERATING AGENCIES
4.1 Each Party shall designate a Cooperating Agency which shall be
responsible for the implementation of the Programme.
4.2 Each Party shall inform the other Parties of its designated
Cooperating Agency and of any subsequent changes.
ARTICLE 5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTIES
5.1 The Parties shall contribute to the Programme on a long term basis
so as to maintain the Space Segment of the System.
5.2 The contribution of a Party shall be at least one of the basic
units of the Space Segment of the System.
5.3 Each Party shall determine its contribution to the Space Segment
of the System.
5.4 The initial contributions of the original Parties to the Space
Segment, under normal operating conditions, are as follows:
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 2 platforms
2
receiver-processor and memory units
2 repeater
units
United States of America 2 platforms
Republic of France 2
receiver-processor and memory units
Canada 2 repeater
units
5.5 In the event of a change to the contribution of a Party, that
Party shall notify the Depositary of the change.
5.6 A Party providing a satellite platform shall be responsible for
its operation. Such operation shall be consistent with any technical
requirements and the satisfactory performance of the System pursuant to
Article 9 (d).
5.7 The Parties shall ensure administrative, operational and technical
coordination among themselves and between the Parties and other Ground
Segment Providers, and shall endeavour to keep User States fully informed
regarding the System.
5.8 The Parties shall endeavour to deliver relevant COSPAS-SARSAT
alert and location data to appropriate search and rescue authorities and
to coordinate System activities with such authorities.
5.9 Parties shall exchange such information as is necessary to permit
the performance of their respective obligations pursuant to this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 6 FINANCIAL MATTERS
6.1 Each Party, in conformity with its domestic funding procedures,
and subject to the availability of appropriated funds, shall be fully
responsible for financing all costs associated with its contribution to
the Space Segment as determined pursuant to Article 5, and the common
costs arising from the obligations of this Agreement.
6.2 Common costs associated with the organization, administration and
coordination of the Programme, as agreed in the Council, including those
incurred in financing the activities of the Council and the Secretariat,
shall be shared equally by the Parties.
6.3 The reception and transmission of distress alert data through the
COSPAS-SARSAT Space Segment shall be provided free of charge to all
States.
6.4 Non-Party States choosing to participate in activities associated
with the organization, coordination and administration of the Programme
as referred to in Article 6.2 may be invited to contribute to the common
costs involved under terms determined by the Council.
ARTICLE 7 STRUCTURE
7.1 The following organs shall be established pursuant to this
Agreement:
(a) the Council; and
(b) the Secretariat.
7.2 The Council may eatables subsidiary organs as required for the
implementation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8 THE COUNCIL-COMPOSITION AND PROCEDURES
8.1 The Council shall be composed of one representative of each of the
Parties who may be accompanied by deputies and advisers.
8.2 The Council shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
8.3 The Council shall meet as often as may be necessary for the
efficient discharge of its functions, but not less than once a year.
8.4 Decisions of the Council shall be taken unanimously.
8.5 The languages of the Council shall be English, French and Russian.
ARTICLE 9 FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL
The Council shall carry out the relevant policies and coordinate the
activities of the Parties. The functions of the Council shall include:
(a) overseeing the implementation of this Agreement;
(b) the development of the necessary technical administrative and
operational plans for the implementation of the present Agreement;
(c) the implementation of those provisions of Article 6 requiring
Council action;
(d) the preparation, consideration and adoption of technical
specifications for the System space and ground facilities and
radiobeacons, as well as the adoption of COSPAS-SARSAT technical and
operational documentation;
(e) ensuring interaction and cooperation with the International
Civil Aviation Organization, the International Telecommunication Union,
the International Maritime Organization and other international
organizations for the purpose of coordinating technical matters;
(f) the provision of administrative, operational and technical
coordination with Ground Segment Providers and User States, including the
adoption of procedures for type approval or commissioning of Ground
Segment equipment and radiobeacons;
(g) the assessment of the need for technical and operational
enhancements of the system, including those relating to contributions of
the Parties and those which would entail contributions by States
non-Parties to this Agreement;
(h) the establishment of mechanisms for exchange of appropriate
technical and operational information;
(i) taking decisions upon matters of joint relations with States
non-Parties to this Agreement, as well as international organizations;
(j) the direction of Secretariat activities;
(k) the organization and coordination of exercises, trials and
studies that are necessary to assess the performance of the System; and
(l) other matters regarding operation of the System's Space and
Ground Segments and radiobeacons that the Council agrees shall fall within
its purview.
ARTICLE 10 THE SECRETARIAT
10.1 The Secretariat shall be the permanent administrative organ for
the Programme and shall assist the Council in the implementation of its
functions.
10.2 The Secretariat shall be managed by a Head of Secretariat,
appointed pursuant to procedures approved by the Council.
10.3 The Secretariat shall take direction from the Council in the
performance of its functions, which include:
(a) conference services for the meetings of the Council and of its
subsidiary organs;
(b) administrative services concerning general correspondence,
system documentation and promotional materials;
(c) technical services including the preparation of reports as
instructed by the Council;
(d) liaison with Ground Segment Providers, User States and
international organizations; and
(e) such other services as may be required by the Council for the
implementation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 11 GROUND SEGMENT PROVIDERS
11.1 Any State planning to establish and operate Ground Segment
equipment shall advise the Council of its intention to do so and shall:
(a) adhere to the technical specifications and operating
procedures set by the Council for the purpose of ensuring adequate system
performance;
(b) endeavour to deliver, in accordance with procedures agreed
with the Council, distress alert and location information received through
the COSPAS-SARSAT Space Segment to appropriate search and rescue
authorities;
(c) provide, as agreed with the Council, appropriate performance
data in order to confirm compatibility of its Ground Segment equipment
with the System;
(d) designate an organization to carry out its responsibilities
pursuant to this Article;
(e) participate in appropriate meetings of the Programme, convened
by the Council, on terms and conditions determined by the Council, with a
view to resolving relevant administrative, operational and technical
issues;
(f) confirm that it will not make any claims or bring actions
against the Parties for injury, damages or financial losses arising out
of activities, or lack thereof, pursuant to this Agreement;
(g) adhere to the provisions of Article 12 in relation to its use
of the System; and
(h) fulfill any other requirement as may be agreed with the
Council.
11.2 Any such State wishing to become a Ground segment Provider shall
notify formal acceptance of its obligations pursuant to Article 11.1 to
the Depositary which shall inform the Parties. Such notification shall be
in the form of a standard letter and shall include the conditions of
participation in the System previously agreed with the Council pursuant to
Article 11.1.
ARTICLE 12 USER STATES
12.1 Any State may utilize the System both through the reception of
COSPAS-SARSAT alert and location data and through the deployment of
radiobeacons.
12.2 Any such State wishing to become a User State shall assume
certain responsibilities including:
(a) to advise the Council or the competent international
organization of its point or points of contact for distress alert
purposes;
(b) to make use of radiobeacons for operation in the System, the
characteristics of which comply with appropriate provisions of the
International Telecommunication Union and COSPAS-SARSAT specifications;
(c) to maintain, as applicable, a radiobeacon register;
(d) to exchange COSPAS-SARSAT data in a timely and
non-discriminatory manner, in accordance with procedures agreed with the
Council;
(e) to confirm that it will not make any claims or bring actions
against the Parties for injury, damages or financial losses arising out of
activities, or lack thereof, pursuant to this Agreement;
(f) to participate as necessary in appropriate meetings of the
Programme, convened by the Council, on terms and conditions determined by
the Council, with a view to resolving relevant administrative, operational
and technical issues; and
(g) to fulfill any other requirement as may be agreed with the
Council.
12.3 User States shall notify formal acceptance of their obligations
under Article 12.2 to the Depositary which shall inform the Parties. Such
notification shall be in the form of a standard letter and shall include
the conditions of participation in the System previously agreed with the
Council pursuant to Article 12.2.
ARTICLE 13 RELATIONSHIP WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
13.1 To promote implementation of this Agreement, the Parties, acting
through the Council, shall cooperate with the International Civil
Aviation Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and the
International Maritime Organization, as well as with other international
organizations, on matters of common interest. The Parties shall take into
account the relevant resolutions, standards and recommendations of these
international organizations.
13.2 This cooperation may be formalized between these Organizations
and the Parties.
ARTICLE 14 LIABILITY
14.1 The Parties shall not make any claims or bring actions against
each other for injury, damages or financial losses arising out of
activities, or lack thereof, pursuant to this Agreement.
14.2 The Parties accept no liability towards users of the System or
any third party, particularly as regards any claims for injury, damages or
financial losses that may arise from the use of the System. Parties will
cooperate with a view to protecting themselves from any such potential
claims.
ARTICLE 15 SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
15.1 Any dispute concerning the interpretation or implementation of
this Agreement should be settled by negotiations between or among the
Parties concerned.
15.2 If a settlement cannot be reached by such negotiations, the
dispute may, if the affected Parties so agree, be referred to arbitration.
ARTICLE 16 ACCESSION
16.1 This Agreement shall be open for accession by any State that
agrees to contribute a minimum of one basic unit to the Space Segment, and
is prepared to assume the responsibilities of a Party pursuant to this
Agreement.
16.2 Where a State is to accede to this Agreement and assume
responsibility for the contribution of a basic unit of the existing Space
Segment either as described in Article 3.1 or as enhanced pursuant to
Article 3.2, it shall do so in agreement with the Party currently
providing that basic unit and in consultation with the other Parties.
16.3 Where a State is to accede to this Agreement and assume
responsibility for the contribution of an additional basic unit which
itself constitutes an enhancement of the Space Segment, it shall do so
with the agreement of all Parties following a decision of the Council
pursuant to Article 3.2 that such enhancement is required.
16.4 Where the requirements of Article 16.2 or 16.3, as appropriate,
have been satisfied and the State so notified, such State may accede by
depositing its instrument of accession with the Depositary.
16.5 This Agreement shall enter into force for the acceding State on
the date of deposit of the instrument of accession with the Depositary.
ARTICLE 17 WITHDRAWAL
17.1 A Party may withdraw from this Agreement.
17.2 A Party intending to withdraw shall notify the Depositary to that
effect. Such withdrawal shall take effect one year after the date of
receipt of notification by the Depositary, or at a later date to be
agreed by the Parties.
17.3 A Party intending to withdraw from this Agreement shall endeavour
to ensure continuity of its existing contribution to the Space Segment
and, in that respect, shall consult with the other Parties to determine
adjustments in their respective responsibilities.
ARTICLE 18 AMENDMENTS
18.1 Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by any Party.
18.2 Ninety days notice is required before consideration of a proposed
amendment by the Council at its next meeting. The Council shall consider
the proposed amendment at that meeting and make recommendation to the
Parties concerning such proposed amendment.
18.3 The amendment shall enter into force sixty days after the
Depositary has received notification of acceptance from all the Parties.
18.4 The Depositary shall promptly notify all the Parties of the
receipt of notifications of acceptance of amendments and of the entry into
force of amendments.
ARTICLE 19 DEPOSITARY
19.1 The Depositaries of this Agreement shall be the Secretary-General
of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Secretary-General
of the International Maritime Organization.
19.2 The Depositary shall promptly inform all the Parties to this
Agreement of the date of each signature, of the date of deposit of each
instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, of the date
of entry into force of this Agreement, and of the receipt of other
notifications.
19.3 This Agreement shall be registered with the United Nations
Secretariat in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United
Nations.
ARTICLE 20 ENTRY INTO FORCE AND DURATION
20.1 This Agreement shall be open for signature by Canada, the
Republic of France, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics. Signature may be made not subject to ratification,
acceptance or approval, or may be accompanied by a declaration that it is
subject to ratification, acceptance or approval.
20.2 This Agreement shall enter into force for Canada, the Republic of
France, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics on the sixtieth day following the date on which these four
States have either signed the Agreement not subject to ratification,
acceptance or approval, or have deposited instruments of ratification,
acceptance or approval with the Depositary.
20.3 Upon entry into force of this Agreement, the Parties shall take
the necessary measures in order to ensure that the Memorandum of
Understanding, which was signed 5 October 1984 and came into effect 8 July
1985, among the Ministry of Merchant Marine of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
of the United States of America, the Department of National Defence of
Canada and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales of France concerning
Cooperation in the COSPAS-SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite System,
ceases to be in effect.
20.4 This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of fifteen
years from the date on which it enters into force and shall be extended
automatically for successive periods of five years.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned * have signed this Agreement.
[* Signature Omitted.]
DONE AT PARIS this first day of July one thousand nine hundred and
eighty-eight, in the English, French and Russian languages, all texts
being equally authentic, in two originals deposited with the
Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the
Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization respectively.
Certified copies of the Agreement shall be transmitted by the Depositary
to the Parties.
nizations;
(j) the direction of Secretariat activities;
(k) the organization and coordination of exercises, trials and
studies that are necessary to assess the performance of the System; and
(l) other matters regarding operation of the System's Space and
Ground Segments and radiobeacons that the Council agrees shall fall within
its purview.
ARTICLE 10 THE SECRETARIAT
10.1 The Secretariat shall be the permanent administrative organ for
the Programme and shall assist the Council in the implementation of its
functions.
10.2 The Secretariat shall be managed by a Head of Secretariat,
appointed pursuant to procedures approved by the Council.
10.3 The Secretariat shall take direction from the Council in the
performance of its functions, which include:
(a) conference services for the meetings of the Council and of its
subsidiary organs;
(b) administrative services concerning general correspondence,
system documentation and promotional materials;
(c) technical services including the preparation of reports as
instructed by the Council;
(d) liaison with Ground Segment Providers, User States and
international organizations; and
(e) such other services as may be required by the Council for the
implementation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 11 GROUND SEGMENT PROVIDERS
11.1 Any State planning to establish and operate Ground Segment
equipment shall advise the Council of its intention to do so and shall:
(a) adhere to the technical specifications and operating
procedures set by the Council for the purpose of ensuring adequate system
performance;
(b) endeavour to deliver, in accordance with procedures agreed
with the Council, distress alert and location information received through
the COSPAS-SARSAT Space Segment to appropriate search and rescue
authorities;
(c) provide, as agreed with the Council, appropriate performance
data in order to confirm compatibility of its Ground Segment equipment
with the System;
(d) designate an organization to carry out its responsibilities
pursuant to this Article;
(e) participate in appropriate meetings of the Programme, convened
by the Council, on terms and conditions determined by the Council, with a
view to resolving relevant administrative, operational and technical
issues;
(f) confirm that it will not make any claims or bring actions
against the Parties for injury, damages or financial losses arising out
of activities, or lack thereof, pursuant to this Agreement;
(g) adhere to the provisions of Article 12 in relation to its use
of the System; and
(h) fulfill any other requirement as may be agreed with the
Council.
11.2 Any such State wishing to become a Ground segment Provider shall
notify formal acceptance of its obligations pursuant to Article 11.1 to
the Depositary which shall inform the Parties. Such notification shall be
in the form of a standard letter and shall include the conditions of
participation in the System previously agreed with the Council pursuant to
Article 11.1.
ARTICLE 12 USER STATES
12.1 Any State may utilize the System both through the reception of
COSPAS-SARSAT alert and location data and through the deployment of
radiobeacons.
12.2 Any such State wishing to become a User State shall assume
certain responsibilities including:
(a) to advise the Council or the competent international
organization of its point or points of contact for distress alert
purposes;
(b) to make use of radiobeacons for operation in the System, the
characteristics of which comply with appropriate provisions of the
International Telecommunication Union and COSPAS-SARSAT specifications;
(c) to maintain, as applicable, a radiobeacon register;
(d) to exchange COSPAS-SARSAT data in a timely and
non-discriminatory manner, in accordance with procedures agreed with the
Council;
(e) to confirm that it will not make any claims or bring actions
against the Parties for injury, damages or financial losses arising out of
activities, or lack thereof, pursuant to this Agreement;
(f) to participate as necessary in appropriate meetings of the
Programme, convened by the Council, on terms and conditions determined by
the Council, with a view to resolving relevant administrative, operational
and technical issues; and
(g) to fulfill any other requirement as may be agreed with the
Council.
12.3 User States shall notify formal acceptance of their obligations
under Article 12.2 to the Depositary which shall inform the Parties. Such
notification shall be in the form of a standard letter and shall include
the conditions of participation in the System previously agreed with the
Council pursuant to Article 12.2.
ARTICLE 13 RELATIONSHIP WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
13.1 To promote implementation of this Agreement, the Parties, acting
through the Council, shall cooperate with the International Civil
Aviation Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and the
International Maritime Organization, as well as with other international
organizations, on matters of common interest. The Parties shall take into
account the relevant resolutions, standards and recommendations of these
international organizations.
13.2 This cooperation may be formalized between these Organizations
and the Parties.
ARTICLE 14 LIABILITY
14.1 The Parties shall not make any claims or bring actions against
each other for injury, damages or financial losses arising out of
activities, or lack thereof, pursuant to this Agreement.
14.2 The Parties accept no liability towards users of the System or
any third party, particularly as regards any claims for injury, damages or
financial losses that may arise from the use of the System. Parties will
cooperate with a view to protecting themselves from any such potential
claims.
ARTICLE 15 SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
15.1 Any dispute concerning the interpretation or implementation of
this Agreement should be settled by negotiations between or among the
Parties concerned.
15.2 If a settlement cannot be reached by such negotiations, the
dispute may, if the affected Parties so agree, be referred to arbitration.
ARTICLE 16 ACCESSION
16.1 This Agreement shall be open for accession by any State that
agrees to contribute a minimum of one basic unit to the Space Segment, and
is prepared to assume the responsibilities of a Party pursuant to this
Agreement.
16.2 Where a State is to accede to this Agreement and assume
responsibility for the contribution of a basic unit of the existing Space
Segment either as described in Article 3.1 or as enhanced pursuant to
Article 3.2, it shall do so in agreement with the Party currently
providing that basic unit and in consultation with the other Parties.
16.3 Where a State is to accede to this Agreement and assume
responsibility for the contribution of an additional basic unit which
itself constitutes an enhancement of the Space Segment, it shall do so
with the agreement of all Parties following a decision of the Council
pursuant to Article 3.2 that such enhancement is required.
16.4 Where the requirements of Article 16.2 or 16.3, as appropriate,
have been satisfied and the State so notified, such State may accede by
depositing its instrument of accession with the Depositary.
16.5 This Agreement shall enter into force for the acceding State on
the date of deposit of the instrument of accession with the Depositary.
ARTICLE 17 WITHDRAWAL
17.1 A Party may withdraw from this Agreement.
17.2 A Party intending to withdraw shall notify the Depositary to that
effect. Such withdrawal shall take effect one year after the date of
receipt of notification by the Depositary, or at a later date to be
agreed by the Parties.
17.3 A Party intending to withdraw from this Agreement shall endeavour
to ensure continuity of its existing contribution to the Space Segment
and, in that respect, shall consult with the other Parties to determine
adjustments in their respective responsibilities.
ARTICLE 18 AMENDMENTS
18.1 Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by any Party.
18.2 Ninety days notice is required before consideration of a proposed
amendment by the Council at its next meeting. The Council shall consider
the proposed amendment at that meeting and make recommendation to the
Parties concerning such proposed amendment.
18.3 The amendment shall enter into force sixty days after the
Depositary has received notification of acceptance from all the Parties.
18.4 The Depositary shall promptly notify all the Parties of the
receipt of notifications of acceptance of amendments and of the entry into
force of amendments.
ARTICLE 19 DEPOSITARY
19.1 The Depositaries of this Agreement shall be the Secretary-General
of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Secretary-General
of the International Maritime Organization.
19.2 The Depositary shall promptly inform all the Parties to this
Agreement of the date of each signature, of the date of deposit of each
instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, of the date
of entry into force of this Agreement, and of the receipt of other
notifications.
19.3 This Agreement shall be registered with the United Nations
Secretariat in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United
Nations.
ARTICLE 20 ENTRY INTO FORCE AND DURATION
20.1 This Agreement shall be open for signature by Canada, the
Republic of France, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics. Signature may be made not subject to ratification,
acceptance or approval, or may be accompanied by a declaration that it is
subject to ratification, acceptance or approval.
20.2 This Agreement shall enter into force for Canada, the Republic of
France, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics on the sixtieth day following the date on which these four
States have either signed the Agreement not subject to ratification,
acceptance or approval, or have deposited instruments of ratification,
acceptance or approval with the Depositary.
20.3 Upon entry into force of this Agreement, the Parties shall take
the necessary measures in order to ensure that the Memorandum of
Understanding, which was signed 5 October 1984 and came into effect 8 July
1985, among the Ministry of Merchant Marine of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
of the United States of America, the Department of National Defence of
Canada and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales of France concerning
Cooperation in the COSPAS-SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite System,
ceases to be in effect.
20.4 This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of fifteen
years from the date on which it enters into force and shall be extended
automatically for successive periods of five years.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned * have signed this Agreement.
[* Signature Omitted.]
DONE AT PARIS this first day of July one thousand nine hundred and
eighty-eight, in the English, French and Russian languages, all texts
being equally authentic, in two originals deposited with the
Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the
Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization respectively.
Certified copies of the Agreement shall be transmitted by the Depositary
to the Parties.
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