Citing UN Resolutions Properly

The UN Document Numbering System

Every UN document has a unique symbol, and using these symbols correctly instantly marks you as a knowledgeable delegate. The numbering system follows predictable patterns:

General Assembly Resolutions: A/RES/[session]/[number]. Example: A/RES/77/276 is the 276th resolution adopted during the 77th GA session. Before 1976 (session 31), the format was A/RES/[number] (Roman numerals for session). Example: A/RES/2625 (XXV).

Security Council Resolutions: S/RES/[number] (Year). Example: S/RES/2334 (2016) on Israeli settlements. SC resolutions are numbered sequentially across all years, not per session.

ECOSOC Resolutions: E/RES/[year]/[number]. Example: E/RES/2023/14.

Reports of the Secretary-General: A/[session]/[number]. Example: A/77/150 is a report submitted to the 77th GA session.

Security Council Presidential Statements: S/PRST/[year]/[number]. Example: S/PRST/2023/1.

Human Rights Council Resolutions: A/HRC/RES/[session]/[number]. Example: A/HRC/RES/52/23.

Getting these formats right is a small detail with outsized impact. A paper that references 'UN Resolution 2334' looks amateur. A paper that references 'S/RES/2334 (2016)' looks like it was written by someone who navigates the UN system fluently.

In-Text Citation Style

Position papers are not academic essays — you do not need footnotes, endnotes, or a bibliography (unless the conference specifically requires one). Instead, weave citations naturally into your prose.

Best practice: Name the document type and number parenthetically on first reference, then use a short form afterward.

First reference: 'The General Assembly's adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (A/RES/71/258) in 2017 marked a paradigm shift...' Subsequent references: 'The TPNW has since garnered 68 ratifications...'

For treaties: Use the full name on first reference with the year of adoption. 'The Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)' or 'the Paris Agreement (2015).' You do not need to cite the specific GA resolution that adopted the treaty unless the resolution itself is relevant.

For reports and data: Cite the source parenthetically. 'Global displacement reached 117.3 million people in 2023 (UNHCR Global Trends Report 2024).' Or: 'According to the Secretary-General's report on climate action (A/78/235)...'

For voting records: 'Resolution A/RES/ES-11/1 was adopted with 141 votes in favor, 5 against, and 35 abstentions, with [Country] voting in favor.'

Finding UN Documents Quickly

Knowing how to cite is useless if you cannot find the documents. Here are the fastest routes:

UN Digital Library (digitallibrary.un.org): The most comprehensive search tool. Filter by body (GA, SC, ECOSOC), document type (resolution, report, meeting record), date range, and subject. Pro tip: search by subject heading rather than free text for more precise results.

UN Official Document System (documents.un.org): If you know the document symbol, enter it directly. Also useful for finding meeting records (verbatim and summary) where countries' statements are recorded.

Security Council Report (securitycouncilreport.org): An independent nonprofit that provides analysis and chronologies of SC actions by topic. Invaluable for understanding the history of SC engagement on your issue.

UN Treaty Collection (treaties.un.org): For treaty text, ratification status, reservations, and declarations. The 'Status of Treaties' section lets you check any country's ratification status for any treaty.

GA Resolutions by Topic (research.un.org/en/docs/ga/quick/regular/[session]): Browse all resolutions adopted during a specific GA session.

Bookmark these five sites. You will use them for every position paper you write.