A treaty is a formal, written agreement between two or more subjects of international law (most often sovereign states or international organizations) that is governed by international law and creates legally binding obligations for the parties involved. Treaties can be bilateral (between two parties) or multilateral (involving many parties), and they cover a wide range of topics such as security, trade, environment, human rights, or the establishment of international organizations. Key points to understand:

• Binding character: Treaties are intended to be legally binding on the signatories that ratify or accede to them, differentiating them from mere declarations or non-binding agreements.

• Forms and labels: The instrument may be labeled in various ways—conventions, agreements, covenants, protocols, charters, pacts, or exchanges of letters—but the essential criterion is binding legal obligation, not the specific name.

• Process and consent: Treaties are typically negotiated by representatives with full authority (often called plenipotentiaries), and most multilateral treaties require formal ratification by participating states before they become binding on those states.

• Domestic status: In many jurisdictions, treaties become part of national law either upon signature, ratification, or transposition into domestic law, sometimes requiring implementing legislation to give effect at the national level.

• Examples: Historical and contemporary examples include arms-control treaties, trade agreements, human rights conventions, and environmental accords.

If you’d like, I can tailor this explanation to a specific country’s approach or to a particular treaty type (e.g., how they’re formed in international law versus their domestic implementation).