This publication has been prepared by the Treaty Section of the Office of Legal Affairs as a guide to the Secretary-General's practice as a depositary of multilateral treaties and the Secretariat's practice in relation to the registration and publication of treaties under article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. It is intended as a contribution to the United Nations efforts to assist States and international organizations in engaging effectively in the international treaty framework. Written in simple language and with the aid of diagrams and step-by-step instructions, the Handbook touches upon a wide range of aspects of treaty law and practice..