For information only - not an official document

UNIS/L/178
30 November 2012

Sao Tome and Principe Accedes to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards

148th Country to Become Party to the Convention

VIENNA, 30 November (UN Information Service) - Sao Tome and Principe has deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, commonly known as the New York Convention. With its accession, Sao Tome and Principe becomes the 148th State party to the Convention. The Convention will enter into force for Sao Tome and Principe on 18 February 2013.

The New York Convention is widely recognized as a foundation instrument of international arbitration. It requires courts of contracting States to give effect to arbitration agreements and to recognize and enforce awards made in other States, subject to specific limited exceptions.

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The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) is the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law. Its mandate is to remove legal obstacles to international trade by progressively modernizing and harmonizing trade law. It prepares legal texts in a number of key areas such as international commercial dispute settlement, electronic commerce, insolvency, international payments, sale of goods, transport law, procurement and infrastructure development. UNCITRAL also provides technical assistance to law reform activities, including assisting Member States to review and assess their law reform needs and to draft the legislation required to implement UNCITRAL texts. The UNCITRAL Secretariat is located in Vienna, Austria.

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For information contact:

Timothy Lemay
Principal Legal Officer
UNCITRAL Secretariat
Email: timothy.lemay[at]uncitral.org