Legal Definitions - observer

Definition: An observer is a representative of a country or international organization who attends meetings of an international body, such as the United Nations, to which the observer's country does not belong. Observers do not have the right to vote or sign documents, but they are sometimes allowed to participate in discussions.

For example, if a country is not a member of the United Nations, it can send an observer to attend the meetings. The observer can listen to the discussions and express their opinions, but they cannot vote on any decisions made by the UN.

Another example is when an international organization, such as the European Union, sends an observer to a meeting of a different organization, such as the World Trade Organization. The observer can provide input and participate in discussions, but they do not have the power to make decisions or sign any agreements.

These examples illustrate how observers are allowed to attend meetings and participate in discussions, but they do not have the same rights as members of the organization. Observers are there to observe and provide input, but they cannot make any binding decisions.