1. This Protocol shall be open to all States for signature from 12 to 15 December 2000 in Palermo,
Italy, and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 12 December 2002.
2. This Protocol shall also be open for signature by regional economic integration organizations
provided that at least one member State of such organization has signed this Protocol in
accordance with paragraph 1 of this article.
3. This Protocol is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification,
acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. A
regional economic integration organization may deposit its instrument of ratification, acceptance
or approval if at least one of its member States has done likewise. In that instrument of ratification,
acceptance or approval, such organization shall declare the extent of its competence with respect
to the matters governed by this Protocol. Such organization shall also inform the depositary of any
relevant modification in the extent of its competence.
4. This Protocol is open for accession by any State or any regional economic integration
organization of which at least one member State is a Party to this Protocol. Instruments of
accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. At the time of its
accession, a regional economic integration organization shall declare the extent of its competence
with respect to matters governed by this Protocol. Such organization shall also inform the
depositary of any relevant modification in the extent of its competence.