“Popular understanding notwithstanding, there is no legal difference between various kinds of international instruments because of the name they are given. In other words, ‘treaties,’ ‘pacts,’ ‘protocols,’ ‘conventions,’ ‘covenants,’ and ‘declarations’ are all terms to convey international agreements. Some of these terms may connote more or less solemnity or formality, but it does not matter for purposes of characterizing an accord as an international agreement, binding under international law.” David J. Bederman, International Law Frameworks 25 (2001).
pact
pact. An agreement between two or more parties; esp., an agreement (such as a treaty) between two or more nations or governmental entities.
