Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization (INMARSAT)

Party

Haïti added

• Ratification: 28-11-2025 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-11-2025
• Reservations / Declarations: No
• Objections: No

Somalia added

• Ratification: 27-11-2025 (A)
• Entry into force: 27-11-2025
• Reservations / Declarations: No
• Objections: No

Party

Maldives added

• Ratification: 20-07-2023 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-07-2023
• Reservations / Declarations: No
• Objections: No

Tuvalu added

• Ratification: 08-08-2023 (A)
• Entry into force: 08-08-2023
• Reservations / Declarations: No
• Objections: No

General information

• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Kingdom part

Netherlands (in Europe)

• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Netherlands (Bonaire)

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Netherlands (Sint Eustatius)

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Netherlands (Saba)

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Aruba

• Entry into force: 01-01-1986

Curaçao

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Sint Maarten

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Party

Algeria

• Ratification: 15-07-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Angola

• Ratification: 07-02-2022 (A)
• Entry into force: 07-02-2022

Antigua and Barbuda

• Ratification: 12-10-2009 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-10-2009

Argentina

• Ratification: 02-10-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 02-10-1979

Australia

• Signature: 01-02-1977
• Ratification: 16-03-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Bahamas

• Ratification: 12-05-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-05-1994

Bahrain

• Ratification: 08-01-1986 (A)
• Entry into force: 08-01-1986

Bangladesh

• Ratification: 17-09-1993 (A)
• Entry into force: 17-09-1993

Barbados

• Ratification: 08-03-2023 (A)
• Entry into force: 08-03-2023

Belarus

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 29-03-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Belgium

• Signature: 01-02-1978
• Ratification: 14-07-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Bolivia

• Ratification: 09-03-2018 (A)
• Entry into force: 09-03-2018

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Ratification: 17-04-1998 (A)
• Entry into force: 17-04-1998

Brazil

• Signature: 13-04-1978
• Ratification: 10-07-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Brunei

• Ratification: 04-10-1993 (A)
• Entry into force: 04-10-1993

Bulgaria

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 15-06-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Cameroon

• Signature: 13-10-1976
• Ratification: 23-10-1990 (R)
• Entry into force: 23-10-1990

Canada

• Ratification: 17-05-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Chile

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 26-02-1981 (R)
• Entry into force: 26-02-1981

China

• Ratification: 13-07-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979
• Hong Kong SAR
  Entry into force: 01-07-1997Macao SAR
  Entry into force: 24-06-2005

Colombia

• Ratification: 28-10-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-10-1987

Comoros

• Ratification: 22-11-2000 (A)
• Entry into force: 22-11-2000

Cook Islands

• Ratification: 31-10-2007 (A)
• Entry into force: 31-10-2007

Costa Rica

• Ratification: 05-06-1995 (A)
• Entry into force: 05-06-1995

Croatia

• Ratification: 24-11-1992 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-11-1992

Cyprus

• Ratification: 08-06-1992 (A)
• Entry into force: 08-06-1992

Czech Republic

• Ratification: 31-12-1992 (Su)
• Entry into force: 01-01-1993

Czechoslovakia (<01-01-1993)

• Ratification: 08-12-1988 (A)
• Entry into force: 08-12-1988

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

• Ratification: 15-10-2013 (A)
• Entry into force: 15-10-2013

Denmark

• Ratification: 10-05-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Ecuador

• Ratification: 11-11-2015 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-11-2015

Egypt

• Ratification: 29-11-1977 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Fiji

• Ratification: 08-03-2016 (A)
• Entry into force: 08-03-2016

Finland

• Signature: 10-05-1979
• Ratification: 12-07-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

France

• Signature: 30-04-1979
• Ratification: 18-10-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 18-10-1979

Gabon

• Ratification: 28-12-1984 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-12-1984

Georgia

• Ratification: 12-01-2015 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-01-2015

Germany

• Signature: 22-05-1979
• Ratification: 23-10-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 23-10-1979

Ghana

• Ratification: 11-07-1995 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-07-1995

Greece

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 13-07-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Honduras

• Ratification: 16-11-2016 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-11-2016

Hungary

• Ratification: 24-07-1997 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-07-1997

Iceland

• Ratification: 26-03-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 26-03-1991

India

• Signature: 27-01-1978
• Ratification: 06-06-1978 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Iran

• Ratification: 12-10-1984 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-10-1984

Iraq

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 21-07-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 21-07-1980

Israel

• Ratification: 13-10-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 13-10-1987

Japan

• Signature: 22-03-1977
• Ratification: 25-11-1977 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Jordan

• Ratification: 18-11-2014 (A)
• Entry into force: 18-11-2014

Kenya

• Ratification: 21-07-1998 (A)
• Entry into force: 21-07-1998

Latvia

• Ratification: 22-03-1995 (A)
• Entry into force: 22-03-1995

Lebanon

• Ratification: 29-12-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-12-1994

Liberia

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 14-11-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 14-11-1980

Libya

• Ratification: 29-01-1999 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-01-1999

Malaysia

• Ratification: 12-06-1986 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-06-1986

Malta

• Ratification: 11-01-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-01-1991

Marshall Islands

• Ratification: 12-05-1997 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-05-1997

Mauritius

• Ratification: 07-12-1992 (A)
• Entry into force: 07-12-1992

Mexico

• Ratification: 10-01-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 10-01-1994

Monaco

• Ratification: 01-10-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-10-1990

Mongolia

• Ratification: 28-09-2011 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-09-2011

Montenegro

• Ratification: 06-06-2006 (Su)
• Entry into force: 03-06-2006

Morocco

• Ratification: 04-08-1999 (A)
• Entry into force: 04-08-1999

Mozambique

• Ratification: 18-04-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 18-04-1990

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

• Signature: 29-09-1978
• Ratification: 15-06-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

New Zealand

• Ratification: 17-08-1977 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979
• Niue
  Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Nigeria

• Ratification: 23-02-1988 (A)
• Entry into force: 23-02-1988

Norway

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 10-10-1978 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Oman

• Ratification: 30-12-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 30-12-1980

Pakistan

• Ratification: 06-02-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 06-02-1985

Palau

• Ratification: 29-09-2011 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-09-2011

Panama

• Ratification: 26-10-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 26-10-1987

Peru

• Ratification: 30-10-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 30-10-1987

Philippines

• Ratification: 30-03-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 30-03-1981

Poland

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 03-07-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Portugal

• Ratification: 13-07-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Qatar

• Ratification: 28-09-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-09-1987

Republic of Korea, the

• Ratification: 16-09-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-09-1985

Romania

• Ratification: 27-09-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 27-09-1990

Russian Federation

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 13-03-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Saudi Arabia

• Ratification: 05-10-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 05-10-1983

Senegal

• Ratification: 16-06-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-06-1994

Serbia

• Ratification: 19-02-2002 (Su)
• Entry into force: 27-04-1992

Singapore

• Ratification: 29-06-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Slovakia

• Ratification: 20-07-1993 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-07-1993

Solomon Islands

• Ratification: 20-11-2020 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-11-2020

South Africa

• Ratification: 03-03-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 03-03-1994

Spain

• Signature: 30-01-1978
• Ratification: 05-09-1978 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Sri Lanka

• Ratification: 15-12-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 15-12-1981

Sweden

• Ratification: 19-06-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Switzerland

• Ratification: 17-05-1989 (A)
• Entry into force: 17-05-1989

Tanzania

• Ratification: 21-12-1998 (A)
• Entry into force: 21-12-1998

Thailand

• Ratification: 14-12-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 14-12-1994

Tonga

• Ratification: 18-09-2003 (A)
• Entry into force: 17-11-2003

Tunisia

• Ratification: 09-05-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 09-05-1983

Türkiye

• Signature: 21-07-1978
• Ratification: 16-11-1989 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-11-1989

Ukraine

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 29-03-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

United Kingdom

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 30-04-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979
• Bermuda
  Entry into force: 22-08-1979Hong Kong (< 01-07-1997)
  Entry into force: 22-08-1979
  Termination: 01-07-1997

United States of America

• Ratification: 15-02-1979 (S)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979

Uruguay

• Ratification: 16-09-2022 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-09-2022

Vanuatu

• Ratification: 20-08-2008 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-08-2008

Venezuela

• Ratification: 27-04-2005 (A)
• Entry into force: 27-04-2005

Vietnam

• Ratification: 15-04-1998 (A)
• Entry into force: 15-04-1998

Yemen

• Ratification: 24-01-2011 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-01-2011

Yugoslavia (< 25-06-1991)

• Ratification: 27-09-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 27-09-1990

Cuba

• Ratification: 25-07-1989 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-07-1989
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  12-09-2003
  In the name of the Government of the Republic of Cuba, at the time of ratification of the Amended Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), In conformity with the provisions of Article 15 and the Annex to the afore-mentioned Convention, the Cuban State declares: That disputes between the Parties concerning the interpretation and application of this International Legal Instrument must be settled through diplomatic negotiations. Cuba does not accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and thus, does not recognize its decisions, nor the arbitration envisaged in the Annex concerning settlement of disputes. Of which this Declaration shall be the formal expression.

Indonesia

• Ratification: 09-10-1986 (A)
• Entry into force: 09-10-1986
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  09-10-1986
  Notwithstanding to the provision of the article 31 of this Convention the Government of the Republic of Indonesia declares that any dispute arising between the Republic of Indonesia and one or more Parties, or between the Republic of Indonesia and the Organisation, will be settled by negotiation among the parties concerned.

Italy

• Signature: 06-06-1978
• Ratification: 10-07-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  06-06-1978
  The Italian Government, at the moment of signing the INMARSAT Convention, wishes to reaffirm Italy's intention to become a party of the Organization, within the terms of ratification set by the Convention, and to participate with an initial investment share equal to that established in part (A) of the Annex to the operating Agreement. The Italian Government, well aware of the fact that part (B) of the Annex was intended to secure the entry into force of the INMARSAT agreements within the terms set by Art. 33 of the Convention, is none the less convinced that said part (B) of the Annex cannot be interpreted in such a way as to become prejudicial to the right acquired by one State by virtue of part (A) of the Annex. In fact, the operating Agreement is not entitled to modify the right deriving from the Convention. Therefore the Italian Government, pending the deposit of the instruments of ratification of the INMARSAT Convention, within the terms set by Art. 33 of the same, wishes to state that any acquisition of the Italian Signatory's initial investment share, which should take place before the said terms, would be considered illegal and would be claimed back by the Italian State.

  reservation
  10-07-1979
  ... it is not the Italian Government's intention to confirm the declaration on initial investment shares which was deposited at the moment of the signature of the INMARSAT Convention.

Kuwait

• Signature: 03-09-1976
• Ratification: 25-02-1977 (R)
• Entry into force: 16-07-1979
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  25-02-1977
  It is understood that the Ratification of the State of Kuwait to the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organisation (INMARSAT) 1976, does not mean in any way recognition of Israel by the State of Kuwait. Furthermore, no treaty relations will arise between the State of Kuwait and Israel.

United Arab Emirates

• Ratification: 13-01-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 13-01-1983
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  13-01-1983
  On accepting the said convention and annexes, the Government of the United Arab Emirates takes the view that its acceptance of the said Convention and Annexes does not, in any way, imply its recognition of Israel, nor does it oblige to apply the provisions of the Convention and its Annexes in respect of the said country. The Government of the United Arab Emirates wishes further to indicate that its understanding described above in conformity with general practice existing in the United Arab Emirates regarding signature, ratification, accession or acceptance to a Convention of which a country not recognized by the United Arab Emirates is a party.