Like comparable provisions of other recent multilateral arms control treaties, Article XVI designates the Secretary-General of the United Nations as the Depositary for the Treaty and sets forth the responsibilities of the Depositary with respect to the Treaty. Note that, in addition to the responsibilities set forth in this Article, other Articles of the Treaty require the Depositary to be involved in the implementation of the Treaty and to perform other Treaty-related duties, if necessary. For example, paragraph 2 of Article XIV requires the Depositary to convene (under certain circumstances) a conference of Signatory States that have deposited their instruments of ratification, in accordance with the procedures set forth in that paragraph.

Paragraph 1 of Article XVI designates the Secretary-General of the United Nations as the Depositary of this Treaty and directs the Secretary-General to receive signatures, instruments of ratification and instruments of accession.

Paragraph 2 of Article XVI requires the Depositary to inform promptly all Signatory States and acceding States of the date of each signature, the date of deposit of each instrument of ratification or accession, the date of the entry into force of the Treaty and of any amendments and changes thereto, and the receipt of other notices.

Paragraph 3 of Article XVI requires the Depositary to send duly certified copies of the Treaty to the Governments of all Signatory States and acceding states.

Paragraph 4 of Article XVI requires the Depositary to register the Treaty pursuant to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. Paragraph 1 of Article 102 states that every treaty and every international agreement entered into by any member of the United Nations shall as soon as possible be registered with the United Nations Secretariat (and published by it).