Treaty of Conservation

Header and Preamble

### Condition

Ratified by the New West Indies General Assembly with consent of the Coniferan public

### Signatories

Secretary-General Karteria (NWI)Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ventus Prime (NWI)

Co-Founder Central Birdland (Conifer)

Co-Founder Dzaferian Craei Theau (Conifer)

### Language(s)

English

The **Treaty of Conservation** was an important merger treaty between the New West Indies and Evergreen Conifer (formerly known as just Conifer). This document outlined the *de facto* incorporation of Conifer into the New West Indies and cultural tenants of that new relationship.

Conifer was a longtime friend of the New West Indies. Beginning with the beginning of formal relations and an alliance established by the Evergreen Pact, these ties were close. Despite the Pact's repeal, both parties were intent on maintaining the amicable relationship.

In March 2020, then Secretary-General Karteria proposed the merging of the NWI and Conifer, arguing that, in its present state, Conifer had major inactivity issues in its roleplay and government. The Coniferan government largely agreed, though it would take another month to finalize and vote upon the treaty.

On April 5, 2020, the landmark treaty was ratified by the New West Indies General Assembly following public ascension in Conifer. This day also began the official migration of Coniferans to their new home.

## Background

### **Evergreen Pact**

In the beginning of each other's mutual existence, the nascent New West Indies and Conifer sought to cement their joint ties. On July 26, 2018, the Evergreen Ecoprogressive Solidarity Coalition (or Evergreen Pact) was ratified by the New West Indies General Assembly. Though the pact was later repealed, it officially began a long period of biregional relations.

### **Refounding**

Conifer faced a multitude of crises affecting their stability following the pact's repeal. The Founder, Vyutsk, had ceased to exist, and Conifer was thus under threat from raids. The New West Indies expressed it support, and Conifer duly passworded the region. While security was temporarily restored, it soon became clear to Coniferans that Vyutsk was not coming back. Therefore, the remaining leadership sought to refound the community under a new name, Evergreen Conifer. Central Birdland and Outer Cateland (later replaced by replaced by Dzaferian Craei Theau) became the new co-founders.

## Negotiations

The refounded region became increasingly difficult to grow in terms of numbers and involvement. On February 19, 2020, Secretary-General Karteria approached the Coniferan government with an offer to negotiate a new treaty to establish formal diplomatic ties beyond embassies, culminating in an official alliance.

However, this discussion quickly moved to negotiations regarding a merger. Karteria argued that Conifer had difficulty growing and substantial apathy for public administration, which would eventually prove to be deadly to community survival. The government largely agreed, though the details of the document had yet to be discussed.

Karteria controlled the drafting of the treaty, though Coniferans were largely involved in its creation. Both parties expressed an analysis of their community's activities and priorities, coming to the conclusion that they were complementary. The majority of discussion revolved around the transition process and how to incorporate elements of Coniferan culture.

## Treaty Content

### **Dissolution of the Coniferan State**

Article II of the treaty outlines that Conifer would no longer exist as a sovereign entity. This article specifies that Conifer needed to adopt all laws of the New West Indies and that their legal system is no longer recognized. The New West Indies government then filled the gap. This article also mentions that the Coniferan region may "mechanically remain" for record-keeping purposes.

### **Immigration Procedures**

The treaty outlined a streamlined process for accepting former Coniferans into the New West Indies based on their previous status. "Member-States" were to be automatically granted citizenship upon their arrival without any application or approval necessary. "Voting-States" could also gain automatic approval if they requested citizenship. Otherwise, any other resident of Conifer needed to complete a citizenship application as if they were any other new entry. These statuses were determined by the official list kept by the Coniferan government in their final days.

### **Preservation Business**

The treaty granted Coniferan "Remnants" – as they were called – the ability to create their own business for the purposes of preserving Coniferan culture. Sections outlined that this could include, among other things, maintaining the former Discord server, celebrating former holidays and achievements, and maintaining records.

This treaty was written when the New West Indies forum was seen by the government as an avenue for private enterprise. However, the forum was later abandoned by the government due to inactivity. Some efforts in this enterprise still persist, such as the maintenance of the Discord server.

### **Roleplay and Cultural Inclusion**

Upon ratification of the treaty, the New West Indies government immediately created a restricted area in Discord for all Coniferan remnants to access for their roleplay. This area included #tidings (important events), #deck (the main roleplaying channel), #nations (general descriptions), #rp discussion (out-of-character conversation about the roleplay), and later #clubhouse (general discussion of Coniferan activities).

The treaty also required the new government to add various cultural items to the region at-large. This included the Coniferan flag, the Wren Song, and the official plant.

## Reactions

While a few Coniferan inquired or took exception to the treaty, a majority of Coniferans were in favor. The New West Indies General Assembly largely supported the merger, ratifying the treaty on a 15-1 vote.

## Implementation

Post-ratification, multiple channels were created by the government on the New West Indies Discord server. These channels mirrored those found in the former Conifer server.

Cultural items were either added to this wiki or to the Cultural Depository under the Department of Administration.

The Evergreen Conifer region mechanically remains. A majority of Coniferan member-states migrated to the New West Indies, while others joined Forest or ceased to exist.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Resolutions of the General Assembly

## See Also

1. Treaty of Conservation (Original Text)