Resolutions are the central to the way the UN works. They become the base for current work, the focus for working through many differences between Member States and for working together on issues that challenge everyone.

Whether you are researching how a particular issue has evolved, are looking for the language that the UN currently uses on today’s hot topics, wanting to understand how well (or not) you believe the UN and its Member States are dealing with pressing issues, you will need to review and look at document to see what is really happening.

Even if you hear media reports on what is happening at the UN or in international relations, you will often need to check what is really being said. And that is where UN documents come in. They are vital in the overall work, evolution and accomplishment of the UN.

Of course, they are not everything, but knowing how to “read” them, where to find them and what it has taken to get them there is very important for those with a serious interest in the UN to understand.

Links

UN Documents Page
— https://www.un.org/en/our-work/documents

Terms used in Resolutions
— Terms-Resolutions.pdf

UN Terms
— UN Multilingual Terminology Database
— UN Thesaurus

UN Research Guide
— UN Document Research Guide
— Online Training Tutorials for how to use the Document Systems
— Document Symbols

UN Data
UNdata brings UN statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point. Users can search and download a variety of statistical resources of the UN system from a wide range of departments and subject matter.

Homework

What is this document?
— CCPR/C/ALB/2004/1
Using the Quick Links, can you find a recent resolution on “Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture.”

• What is it’s document number?
• When was it adopted?
• When was it circulated as a printed document?