Chapter 17: Draft Treaty Language

"The art of treaty drafting lies in precision without rigidity—words that bind when they must and flex when they should."

Overview

This chapter provides illustrative treaty language for key provisions of the K-Dollar framework. These are not final texts but models demonstrating how the governance structures from Chapters 14-16 could be expressed in formal legal instruments.

Document Structure:

Preamble — Aspirational foundation
Part I: Definitions — Key terms
Part II: Membership — Accession, rights, withdrawal
Part III: Governance — Energy Chamber, Nations Chamber
Part IV: Verification — Production certification
Part V: Dispute Resolution — Arbitration framework
Part VI: Final Provisions — Amendment, entry into force
Annex A: Verification Protocols
Annex B: Voting Procedures
Annex C: Dispute Resolution Rules

Explanatory notes accompany each provision in italics.

Preamble

TREATY ESTABLISHING THE K-DOLLAR AUTHORITY

THE STATES PARTIES TO THIS TREATY,

RECOGNIZING that monetary systems shape the distribution of productive capacity among peoples,

ACKNOWLEDGING that energy is the irreducible foundation of economic activity and human flourishing,

MINDFUL that existing international monetary arrangements, however well-intentioned their origins, have concentrated monetary privilege in ways that bear no necessary relation to productive contribution,

DETERMINED to establish a monetary framework in which the capacity to create money reflects the capacity to produce energy,

CONVINCED that such alignment serves the long-term interests of all nations and peoples,

AFFIRMING the sovereign right of each nation to determine its own monetary and economic policies,

DESIRING to complement, not replace, existing monetary institutions and arrangements,

COMMITTED to transparency, accountability, and the peaceful resolution of disputes,

HAVE AGREED as follows:

Explanatory Note: The preamble establishes the treaty's aspirational foundation without creating binding obligations. Key elements: - Recognition of monetary power's significance - Energy as foundational principle - Critique of existing arrangements framed diplomatically ("bear no necessary relation") - Sovereignty affirmation (critical for adoption) - Complementary role (not replacement)

Part I: Definitions

Article 1: Definitions

For the purposes of this Treaty:

(a) "K-Dollar" means the unit of account established under this Treaty, representing a claim on verified energy production capacity;

(b) "Authority" means the K-Dollar Authority established under Article 5;

(c) "Energy Chamber" means the governance body established under Article 8;

(d) "Nations Chamber" means the governance body established under Article 12;

(e) "Member State" means a State that has deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession in accordance with Article 4;

(f) "Observer State" means a State granted observer status under Article 4(5);

(g) "Associate Member" means a State with limited participation rights under Article 4(4);

(h) "Verified Energy Production" means energy production certified in accordance with Annex A;

(i) "Primary Energy" means energy in its original form before transformation, including but not limited to petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass sources;

(j) "Production Year" means the calendar year for which energy production data is certified;

(k) "Exajoule" means 10^18 joules;

(l) "Voting Weight" means the proportion of votes allocated to a Member State under Article 9;

(m) "Supermajority" means not less than two-thirds of the votes cast;

(n) "Constitutional Amendment" means an amendment to Parts I through VI of this Treaty;

(o) "Operational Amendment" means an amendment to the Annexes of this Treaty.

Explanatory Note: Definitions establish precise meanings to prevent interpretive disputes. Key choices: - K-Dollar defined as "claim on verified energy production capacity" (not physical energy) - "Primary Energy" defined broadly to include all sources (energy-agnostic) - Distinction between Constitutional and Operational amendments (different thresholds)

Part II: Membership

Article 2: Original Members

The States that sign this Treaty and deposit instruments of ratification before [DATE] shall be Original Members of the Authority.

Article 3: Membership Eligibility

Membership in the Authority shall be open to all States.
A State seeking membership shall:
(a) Submit an application to the Authority;
(b) Provide verified energy production data for the preceding three years;
(c) Accept the obligations of this Treaty;
(d) Establish verification infrastructure meeting the requirements of Annex A.
The Nations Chamber shall decide on applications for membership by a majority vote.

Article 4: Categories of Participation

Full Membership entitles a State to:
(a) Voting rights in the Energy Chamber proportional to Verified Energy Production;
(b) One vote in the Nations Chamber;
(c) K-Dollar reserve holdings;
(d) K-Dollar settlement for international transactions;
(e) Participation in all Authority programs.
Full Members shall:
(a) Submit annual Verified Energy Production reports;
(b) Permit verification activities under Annex A;
(c) Abide by decisions of the Authority adopted under this Treaty;
(d) Contribute to the Authority's operating budget in accordance with Article 20.
Associate Membership entitles a State to:
(a) K-Dollar settlement for designated transactions;
(b) Participation in specified Authority programs;
(c) Attendance at Energy Chamber and Nations Chamber sessions without voting rights.
Associate Members shall:
(a) Submit annual energy production data;
(b) Accept verification of designated transactions;
(c) Contribute to the Authority's operating budget at a reduced rate.
Observer Status entitles a State to:
(a) Attendance at public sessions of the Energy Chamber and Nations Chamber;
(b) Access to published Authority documents;
(c) Submission of comments during public consultation periods.
Observer States shall have no financial obligations to the Authority.

Article 5: The K-Dollar Authority

There is hereby established the K-Dollar Authority (hereinafter "the Authority").
The Authority shall have international legal personality and shall enjoy such legal capacity as may be necessary for the exercise of its functions and the fulfillment of its purposes.
The headquarters of the Authority shall be located in [CITY, COUNTRY].
The Authority may establish regional offices as necessary for the performance of its functions.

Article 6: Withdrawal

A Member State may withdraw from this Treaty by written notification to the Depositary.
Withdrawal shall take effect two years after the date of receipt of such notification, unless the notification specifies a later date.
During the withdrawal period, the withdrawing State shall:
(a) Retain all rights and obligations of membership;
(b) Settle all outstanding K-Dollar obligations;
(c) Cooperate in transitional arrangements.
Withdrawal shall not affect any obligation arising from this Treaty prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
A State may not withdraw:
(a) While a dispute in which it is a respondent is pending before the Arbitration Panel;
(b) While enforcement proceedings against it are pending;
(c) To avoid compliance with a finding or award rendered against it.
A State that has withdrawn may apply for readmission under Article 3.

Article 7: Suspension and Expulsion

The Nations Chamber may suspend a Member State's voting rights for failure to comply with obligations under this Treaty.
Suspension requires:
(a) Written notice of the alleged failure;
(b) A period of not less than 90 days to remedy the failure;
(c) A finding by the appropriate body that the failure has not been remedied;
(d) A vote of two-thirds of the Nations Chamber.
A suspended Member State shall retain all obligations of membership.
The Nations Chamber may expel a Member State for fundamental breach of this Treaty.
Expulsion requires:
(a) A finding of fundamental breach by the Arbitration Panel;
(b) A vote of three-fourths of the Nations Chamber;
(c) A vote of three-fourths of the Energy Chamber.
An expelled State may apply for readmission after a period of not less than five years.

Explanatory Note: Membership provisions balance openness with accountability: - Open membership (any State eligible) - Three-tier participation allows gradual integration - Two-year withdrawal notice prevents sudden exits - Anti-avoidance provisions prevent withdrawal to escape obligations - High threshold for expulsion (fundamental breach + supermajorities in both chambers)

Part III: Governance

Article 8: Energy Chamber

There is hereby established an Energy Chamber of the Authority.
The Energy Chamber shall consist of representatives of all Full Member States.
Each Full Member State shall appoint one representative and such alternates as it may determine.
The Energy Chamber shall be responsible for:
(a) Decisions concerning the technical operation of the K-Dollar system;
(b) Approval of verification standards and protocols;
(c) Determination of energy production certification;
(d) Routine operational matters;
(e) Such other matters as may be assigned to it by this Treaty.
The Energy Chamber shall meet in regular session not less than four times per year and in special session as circumstances require.
A quorum for the Energy Chamber shall be representatives of Member States holding not less than 50 percent of the total Voting Weight.

Article 9: Energy Chamber Voting

Each Full Member State shall have a Voting Weight in the Energy Chamber proportional to its Verified Energy Production.
Voting Weight shall be calculated as:

\(\(\text{Voting Weight}_i = \frac{\text{Verified Energy Production}_i}{\sum_{j} \text{Verified Energy Production}_j}\)\)

where i denotes the Member State and the sum is over all Full Member States.

Voting Weight shall be recalculated annually based on production data for the preceding Production Year.
New Voting Weights shall take effect on April 1 of each year.
Unless otherwise specified in this Treaty:
(a) Decisions on routine matters shall require a majority of votes cast;
(b) Decisions on policy matters shall require a majority of votes cast, provided that such majority includes not less than 40 percent of the total Voting Weight;
(c) Decisions on verification standards shall require a supermajority of votes cast.
Voting procedures shall be as specified in Annex B.

Article 10: Energy Chamber Leadership

The Energy Chamber shall elect a President and two Vice-Presidents from among the representatives of Member States.
The President and Vice-Presidents shall serve for terms of two years and may be re-elected once.
No Member State may hold the Presidency for more than two consecutive terms.
The President shall:
(a) Preside over sessions of the Energy Chamber;
(b) Set the agenda in consultation with Member States;
(c) Represent the Energy Chamber in relations with other bodies of the Authority.

Article 11: Energy Chamber Procedures

All sessions of the Energy Chamber shall be open to the public unless the Energy Chamber decides otherwise by a supermajority vote.
Decisions to close a session shall:
(a) Specify the matters to be considered in closed session;
(b) Be limited to matters involving security-sensitive information;
(c) Be reviewed by the Inspector General.
All votes shall be recorded and published within 24 hours.
Minutes of all sessions shall be published within 48 hours.
All documents submitted to the Energy Chamber shall be made available to the public not less than seven days before the session at which they will be considered.

Article 12: Nations Chamber

There is hereby established a Nations Chamber of the Authority.
The Nations Chamber shall consist of one representative of each Full Member State.
The Nations Chamber shall be responsible for:
(a) Decisions concerning membership;
(b) Election of Authority leadership;
(c) Approval of the Authority's budget;
(d) Constitutional matters;
(e) Oversight of Authority operations;
(f) Such other matters as may be assigned to it by this Treaty.
The Nations Chamber shall meet in regular session not less than twice per year and in special session as circumstances require.
A quorum for the Nations Chamber shall be representatives of not less than one-half of the Full Member States.

Article 13: Nations Chamber Voting

Each Full Member State shall have one vote in the Nations Chamber.
Unless otherwise specified in this Treaty:
(a) Decisions on routine matters shall require a majority of votes cast;
(b) Decisions on policy matters shall require a majority of votes cast, provided that such majority includes not less than one-half of the Full Member States;
(c) Decisions on constitutional matters shall require a supermajority of votes cast.
Voting procedures shall be as specified in Annex B.

Article 14: Nations Chamber Leadership

The Nations Chamber shall elect a President and two Vice-Presidents from among the representatives of Member States.
The President and Vice-Presidents shall serve for terms of two years and may be re-elected once.
The Presidency of the Nations Chamber shall not be held by the same Member State as the Presidency of the Energy Chamber.

Article 15: Joint Sessions

The Energy Chamber and Nations Chamber may meet in joint session for matters requiring the approval of both chambers.
Joint sessions shall be presided over by the President of the Nations Chamber.
Decisions in joint session shall require separate majorities in each chamber.

Article 16: Decision Requirements

Decision Type	Energy Chamber	Nations Chamber
Routine operations	Majority	—
Policy changes	Majority (40%+ weight)	Majority (50%+ members)
Budget approval	—	Majority
Membership decisions	—	Majority
Leadership election	—	Majority
Verification standards	Supermajority	—
Operational amendments	Supermajority	Supermajority
Constitutional amendments	75%	75%
Suspension of Member	—	Supermajority
Expulsion of Member	75%	75%

Explanatory Note: The bicameral structure balances energy-weighted and equal representation: - Energy Chamber reflects productive stake (proportional voting) - Nations Chamber ensures every State has voice (equal voting) - Decision thresholds calibrated to decision significance - No single-nation veto (highest requirement is 75% both chambers) - Transparency requirements embedded in procedures

Part IV: Verification

Article 17: Verification Obligation

Each Full Member State shall submit annual reports of its Verified Energy Production.
Reports shall cover the preceding Production Year and shall be submitted not later than March 1.
Reports shall comply with the requirements of Annex A.
Member States shall permit verification activities as specified in Annex A.

Article 18: Verification Authority

There is hereby established a Verification Authority as a subsidiary body of the Authority.
The Verification Authority shall be responsible for:
(a) Certifying Member State energy production reports;
(b) Conducting verification activities;
(c) Investigating discrepancies;
(d) Recommending adjustments to reported production;
(e) Developing and updating verification protocols.
The Verification Authority shall operate independently of the Energy Chamber and Nations Chamber in its technical determinations.
The Chief Verification Officer shall be appointed by the Nations Chamber for a term of five years and may be reappointed once.
The Chief Verification Officer may be removed only for cause and only by a supermajority vote of the Nations Chamber.

Article 19: Verification Standards

Verification shall employ multiple independent methods, including:
(a) Satellite and remote sensing data;
(b) Smart meter and IoT sensor data;
(c) Financial and transactional records;
(d) Physical inspections;
(e) Third-party audits.
No single method shall be determinative.
Verification protocols shall be set forth in Annex A.
The Energy Chamber may amend Annex A by supermajority vote.

Article 20: Verification Disputes

A Member State may challenge a verification determination by the Verification Authority.
Challenges shall be submitted to the Arbitration Panel within 60 days of the determination.
The burden of proof shall be on the challenging State to demonstrate that the determination was:
(a) Based on error of fact;
(b) Based on error of procedure; or
(c) Manifestly unreasonable.
The Arbitration Panel shall issue its decision within 90 days.
Decisions of the Arbitration Panel on verification matters shall be final.

Explanatory Note: Verification provisions ensure production data integrity: - Multi-method approach prevents gaming - Independent Verification Authority (insulated from political pressure) - Chief Verification Officer has protected tenure - Clear dispute mechanism with defined burden of proof

Part V: Dispute Resolution

Article 21: Consultation

Member States shall endeavor to resolve disputes arising under this Treaty through consultation and negotiation.
Any Member State may request consultations with any other Member State concerning any matter arising under this Treaty.
The requested State shall accord sympathetic consideration to such request and shall afford adequate opportunity for consultation.

Article 22: Arbitration Panel

There is hereby established an Arbitration Panel to resolve disputes arising under this Treaty.
The Arbitration Panel shall consist of seven members appointed by the Nations Chamber.
Members of the Arbitration Panel shall:
(a) Be persons of recognized competence in international law, international economics, or energy policy;
(b) Be independent of any Member State government;
(c) Not be nationals of parties to any dispute they adjudicate.
Members shall serve for terms of five years and may be reappointed once.
The Arbitration Panel shall adopt rules of procedure consistent with Annex C.

Article 23: Jurisdiction

The Arbitration Panel shall have jurisdiction over:
(a) Disputes between Member States concerning the interpretation or application of this Treaty;
(b) Appeals from decisions of the Verification Authority;
(c) Disputes concerning alleged violations of this Treaty;
(d) Requests for advisory opinions submitted by the Energy Chamber or Nations Chamber.
The Arbitration Panel shall not have jurisdiction over:
(a) Matters within the domestic jurisdiction of Member States;
(b) Disputes between a Member State and private parties.

Article 24: Arbitration Procedures

Proceedings before the Arbitration Panel shall be conducted in accordance with Annex C.
For each dispute, a panel of three arbitrators shall be constituted from among the members of the Arbitration Panel.
Parties shall have the right to:
(a) Submit written pleadings;
(b) Present oral argument;
(c) Call witnesses and submit evidence.
The Panel shall issue a written decision stating the reasons therefor.
Decisions shall be rendered within 90 days of the close of proceedings, unless extended by agreement of the parties.

Article 25: Awards

Awards of the Arbitration Panel shall be binding on the parties.
Awards may include:
(a) Declarations of rights and obligations;
(b) Orders to cease violations;
(c) Adjustments to Voting Weight or K-Dollar allocations;
(d) Financial compensation;
(e) Recommendations to the Energy Chamber or Nations Chamber.
Awards shall be enforceable within the K-Dollar system.
The Authority may suspend the rights of a Member State that fails to comply with an award.

Article 26: Countermeasures

A Member State affected by another Member State's violation of this Treaty may, after exhausting procedures under this Part, take proportionate countermeasures.
Countermeasures shall:
(a) Be proportionate to the injury suffered;
(b) Be limited to suspension of obligations owed to the violating State;
(c) Be terminated upon compliance by the violating State.
Countermeasures shall not include:
(a) The threat or use of force;
(b) Economic coercion unrelated to the K-Dollar system;
(c) Violation of fundamental human rights obligations.

Explanatory Note: Dispute resolution provisions provide binding enforcement: - Consultation first (diplomatic solution preferred) - Independent arbitration panel (insulated from political pressure) - Binding awards with enforcement mechanism - Countermeasures as last resort with clear limitations

Part VI: Final Provisions

Article 27: Amendments

Any Member State may propose amendments to this Treaty.
Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Secretary-General, who shall circulate them to all Member States.
Constitutional amendments (amendments to Parts I through VI) shall require:
(a) Approval by three-fourths of the votes cast in the Energy Chamber;
(b) Approval by three-fourths of the votes cast in the Nations Chamber;
(c) Ratification by three-fourths of the Member States within three years.
Operational amendments (amendments to the Annexes) shall require:
(a) Approval by two-thirds of the votes cast in the Energy Chamber;
(b) Approval by two-thirds of the votes cast in the Nations Chamber.
Amendments shall enter into force upon satisfaction of the requirements of paragraphs 3 or 4.
A Member State that does not ratify a constitutional amendment within three years may withdraw without penalty under Article 6.

Article 28: Reservations

Reservations to this Treaty shall not be permitted.
Upon signature or ratification, a State may make declarations regarding its understanding of specific provisions, provided that such declarations do not purport to modify the legal effect of provisions of this Treaty.

Article 29: Entry into Force

This Treaty shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the [twentieth] instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval.
For each State that ratifies, accepts, approves, or accedes to this Treaty after the deposit of the [twentieth] instrument, this Treaty shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the deposit of its instrument.
The Treaty shall not enter into force unless the States depositing instruments of ratification, acceptance, or approval collectively account for not less than [40] percent of global primary energy production.

Article 30: Depositary

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall be the Depositary of this Treaty.
The Depositary shall:
(a) Receive instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval, and accession;
(b) Prepare certified copies of this Treaty;
(c) Notify all States of signatures, ratifications, acceptances, approvals, and accessions;
(d) Register this Treaty with the Secretariat of the United Nations.

Article 31: Authentic Texts

This Treaty, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized, have signed this Treaty.

DONE at [CITY] on this [DAY] of [MONTH], [YEAR].

Explanatory Note: Final provisions ensure treaty integrity: - High amendment threshold protects core structure - Operational amendments easier than constitutional (flexibility) - No reservations (prevents fragmentation) - Entry into force requires critical mass (20 states, 40% energy) - UN Secretary-General as depositary (legitimacy)

Annex A: Verification Protocols

A.1 General Provisions

Verification shall be conducted to ensure the accuracy and integrity of energy production data submitted by Member States.
The Verification Authority shall employ a multi-layered approach combining:
(a) Remote sensing verification;
(b) Automated monitoring systems;
(c) Document verification;
(d) Physical inspection;
(e) Third-party audit.
No determination shall be based on a single verification method.

A.2 Remote Sensing

The Verification Authority shall maintain or procure access to satellite and aerial imagery covering:
(a) Power generation facilities;
(b) Extraction sites;
(c) Transmission infrastructure;
(d) Storage facilities.
Imagery resolution shall be sufficient to detect:
(a) Facility operational status;
(b) Infrastructure changes;
(c) Anomalies indicating unreported activity.
Imagery shall be collected not less than monthly for major facilities.

A.3 Automated Monitoring

Member States shall install or provide access to automated monitoring systems at:
(a) Generation facilities exceeding [10 MW] capacity;
(b) Transmission interconnection points;
(c) Major extraction facilities.
Monitoring systems shall:
(a) Report data in real-time or near-real-time;
(b) Employ tamper-resistant designs;
(c) Include redundant measurement systems;
(d) Transmit data directly to Verification Authority systems.
Technical specifications for monitoring systems shall be set by the Verification Authority.

A.4 Document Verification

Member States shall provide the Verification Authority with access to:
(a) Utility billing records;
(b) Transmission records;
(c) Extraction permits and reports;
(d) Financial statements of energy enterprises;
(e) Tax records related to energy production.
The Verification Authority may request additional documentation as necessary.

A.5 Physical Inspection

The Verification Authority may conduct physical inspections of:
(a) Generation facilities;
(b) Extraction sites;
(c) Transmission infrastructure;
(d) Storage facilities;
(e) Monitoring equipment.
Routine inspections shall be conducted with not less than 30 days notice.
Challenge inspections may be conducted with 48 hours notice upon reasonable suspicion of data irregularity.
Member States shall facilitate inspection activities and provide access to facilities and personnel.

A.6 Third-Party Audit

The Verification Authority shall commission annual independent audits of Member State energy production.
Audits shall be conducted by qualified firms selected through competitive process.
No firm shall audit the same Member State for more than three consecutive years.
Audit reports shall be published in full.

A.7 Data Reconciliation

The Verification Authority shall reconcile data from all verification sources.
Material discrepancies (exceeding 5% of reported production) shall trigger enhanced review.
The Verification Authority shall issue a determination for each Member State by March 31 of each year.
Determinations shall specify:
(a) Verified Energy Production for the preceding Production Year;
(b) Any adjustments to reported data;
(c) Basis for any adjustments;
(d) Resulting Voting Weight.

A.8 Confidentiality

Verification data shall be treated as confidential, subject to:
(a) Disclosure necessary for verification activities;
(b) Disclosure to other Member States upon request (aggregate data only);
(c) Publication of final verified figures.
Commercially sensitive information shall not be disclosed except as necessary for verification determinations.

Annex B: Voting Procedures

B.1 General Provisions

All votes shall be recorded.
Voting records shall be published within 24 hours.
Member States may change their vote until the close of voting.

B.2 Energy Chamber Voting

Votes may be cast:
(a) In person during sessions;
(b) By secure electronic means.
The President shall announce each matter to be voted upon and the voting threshold required.
Voting shall remain open for not less than 24 hours following the announcement.
Results shall be calculated based on Voting Weight as defined in Article 9.
Abstentions shall not be counted in calculating the votes cast.

B.3 Nations Chamber Voting

Votes may be cast:
(a) In person during sessions;
(b) By secure electronic means.
Each Member State shall have one vote.
Voting shall remain open for not less than 48 hours following the announcement.
Abstentions shall not be counted in calculating the votes cast.

B.4 Procedural Motions

Any Member State may make procedural motions, including:
(a) Motion to adjourn;
(b) Motion to postpone consideration;
(c) Motion to refer to committee;
(d) Motion to close debate.
Procedural motions shall be decided by majority of votes cast.

B.5 Quorum

No vote shall be valid unless a quorum is present.
Quorum for the Energy Chamber: representatives holding 50% of total Voting Weight.
Quorum for the Nations Chamber: representatives of 50% of Member States.
Any Member State may raise a point of order regarding quorum.

Annex C: Dispute Resolution Rules

C.1 Filing of Complaints

A Member State may file a complaint by submitting to the Arbitration Panel:
(a) A written statement of the facts;
(b) Identification of the provisions alleged to be violated;
(c) A statement of the relief sought;
(d) Supporting documentation.
The Secretariat shall transmit the complaint to the respondent within 7 days.

C.2 Response

The respondent shall file a response within 30 days of receipt of the complaint.
The response shall address each allegation and set forth any defenses.

C.3 Panel Constitution

Within 14 days of the response, the President of the Arbitration Panel shall constitute a panel of three members.
Neither party shall have more than one national on the panel.
Parties may object to a panelist for cause within 7 days.

C.4 Written Proceedings

Following constitution of the panel, each party may file:
(a) Memorial (complainant): within 30 days;
(b) Counter-memorial (respondent): within 30 days of memorial;
(c) Reply (complainant): within 14 days of counter-memorial;
(d) Rejoinder (respondent): within 14 days of reply.

C.5 Oral Proceedings

Either party may request oral proceedings.
Oral proceedings shall be scheduled within 30 days of the close of written proceedings.
Each party shall have equal time for oral presentation.
Oral proceedings shall be open to the public unless the panel determines that confidential information requires closed sessions.

C.6 Evidence

The panel may:
(a) Request additional information from the parties;
(b) Appoint experts;
(c) Conduct site visits.
The burden of proof shall be on the party asserting a fact.
The standard of proof shall be preponderance of the evidence.

C.7 Award

The panel shall issue a written award within 90 days of the close of proceedings.
The award shall state:
(a) The findings of fact;
(b) The legal conclusions;
(c) The relief granted;
(d) Any dissenting opinions.
Awards shall be published in full.

C.8 Compliance

The prevailing party may notify the Authority of non-compliance.
The Energy Chamber and Nations Chamber may authorize countermeasures upon determination of non-compliance.
The Authority shall maintain a public register of compliance with awards.

17.1 Key Takeaways

Preamble establishes vision: Aspirational language frames monetary reform as serving human flourishing while respecting sovereignty.
Definitions prevent disputes: Precise terms (Verified Energy Production, Primary Energy, Voting Weight) reduce interpretive conflicts.
Three-tier membership: Full, Associate, and Observer status enables gradual integration.
Bicameral governance: Energy Chamber (proportional) and Nations Chamber (equal) balance stake and voice.
Independent verification: Verification Authority with protected tenure ensures data integrity.
Binding arbitration: Dispute resolution with enforceable awards provides accountability.
Amendment thresholds: Constitutional amendments require 75% both chambers plus ratification; operational amendments easier.
Annexes provide detail: Technical protocols can be updated without full treaty amendment process.