The provisions of the Aarhus Convention came into effect in the Republic of Montenegro on 31 January 2010, Montenegro having depositing its instrument of accession to the UN Secretary-General 90 days earlier.

Montenegro is the 43rd United Nations Member State to join the Aarhus Convention. With the participation of the European Community on behalf of the European Union, the Convention has in total 44 parties. 

The Aarhus Convention, widely considered to be the leading global instrument on environmental democracy, was opened for accession to any Member State of the United Nations on 28 December 1998, under article 19. Article 20 of the Convention states that the Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of a State’s instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

For the map of Parties and Signatories to the Convention, see the Status of Ratifications web page.