On 8 July 1965, in New York, the Convention on Transit Trade of Land-locked States is opened for signature — the UN instrument guaranteeing access to the sea and freedom of transit for countries without a coast.

The Convention requires transit states to facilitate passage of goods without discriminatory charges and to provide reasonable corridors and facilities, based on sovereignty and reciprocity.

Adopted amid decolonisation, when many landlocked African and Asian states were securing access to world markets, it complements principles of the law of the sea.

Entry into force: 9 June 1967. It remains a pillar of landlocked countries’ rights in international trade.

For trade and transit law, 8 July 1965 marks a clear multilateral commitment for landlocked states.

The official text is on the United Nations Treaty Collection, Chapter X.

The Convention of 8 July 1965 remains the UN reference for transit trade of land-locked states.

Image: UN / transit; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Convention on Transit Trade of Land-locked States. Treaty text: Convention on Transit Trade of Land-locked States (UNTC X-3).