Given the significant increase in the number of multilateral environmental agreements, their ratification and implementation through domestic legislation has now become a top priority in the environmental agenda. This publication provides general information on selected multilateral environmental agreements and the status of ratification, For each of the 18 Conventions and Protocols selected, the following information is provided title, objectives, summary of provisions, date and place of adoption, date of entry into force, languages, depository, secretariat, website and status of ratification as of 17 July 2002. The status of ratification is based on (he information provided by the depositary.