I think I'll let John answer part of that question, but I will start by saying it's more than symbolic. It has had the effect, where countries have signed, of starting to help shape the domestic policies within those countries. Countries that have embraced it are using it as a standard-setting process within their borders, so it's a very useful tool.
In regard to the international context, I think John is probably more able to answer that question, because it has some legal connotations to it.