15

shall be determined by agreements to be negotiated by it with such Governments or administrations in accordance with the terms of this Constitution. ARTICLE 16 Amendment of Constitution Texts of proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be communicated by the Director-General to members at least three months in advance of their consideration by the General Council. Amendments shall come into effect when adopted by a two-thirds majority of the members of the General Council present and voting and accepted by two-thirds of the members in accordance with their respective constitutional processes, provided, however, that amendments involving new obligations for members shall come into force in respect of each member only on acceptance by it. ARTICLE 17 Interpretation 1. The Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts of this Constitution shall be regarded as equally authentic. 2. Subject to Article 96 of the Charter of the United Nations and of Chapter II of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, any question or dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Constitution shall be referred to the International Court of Justice, unless the General Council or the parties to such dispute agree to another mode of settlement. ARTICLE 18 Entry into Force 1. (a) States may become parties to this Constitution by : (i) Signature without reservation as to approval; (ii) Signature subject to approval followed by acceptance; (iii) Acceptance. (b) Acceptance shall be effected by the deposit of a formal instrument with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. 2. This Constitution shall come into force when at least fifteen States, whose required contributions to Part I of the operational budget as set forth in Annex II of this Constitution amount to not less than seventy-five per cent, of the total thereof, have become parties to it. 3. In accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Secretary-General of the United Nations will register this Constitution, when it has been signed, without reservation as to approval, on behalf of one State or upon deposit of the first instrument of acceptance.