(a) Purpose. Under Article XI of the Treaty, the Parties agree to resolutions and decisions that clarify and interpret the Convention to improve its effectiveness. Resolutions are generally intended to provide long-standing guidance, whereas decisions typically contain instructions to a specific committee, Parties, or the Secretariat. Decisions are often intended to be implemented by a specific date, and then they expire.

(b) Effective date. A resolution or decision adopted by the Parties becomes effective 90 days after the last day of the meeting at which it was adopted, unless otherwise specified in the resolution or decision.