Legal Definitions - pact

Definition: A pact is an agreement between two or more parties, especially between two or more nations or governmental entities. It can also be referred to as a treaty, protocol, convention, covenant, or declaration. These terms may suggest different levels of formality or seriousness, but they all convey international agreements that are binding under international law.

Example: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a pact between 30 countries that aims to promote peace and security in the North Atlantic region. Another example is the Paris Agreement, a pact between 196 countries to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Explanation: Both examples illustrate how pacts can be made between multiple countries to address important issues. These agreements are legally binding and require the parties involved to fulfill their obligations. The NATO pact, for instance, requires member countries to defend each other if one of them is attacked. The Paris Agreement requires countries to regularly report on their emissions and take steps to reduce them. These pacts help promote cooperation and collaboration between nations to achieve common goals.