Article 31 of the VCLT

Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties outlines the general rule for interpreting treaties. It states that treaties should be understood according to their plain, ordinary meaning in context, including related agreements and subsequent practices by parties. The goal is to interpret the treaty in a way that reflects its overall purpose and intent, ensuring consistency and good faith. In essence, it guides interpreters to consider the treaty’s language, context, and the broader intentions of the involved parties to accurately understand their commitments.