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Referencing - International Law: UN Security Council (UNSC)

How do I reference a document from the UN Security Council (UNSC)?

This guidance applies whether you found the document in print or online.

author | title | (date) | UN Doc | document number

Footnote and bibliography:
e.g. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Res 1373 (28 September 2001) UN Doc S/RES/1373

To pinpoint, follow the citation with a comma and the page number. To pinpoint several pages, insert a dash between the page numbers:
e.g. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Res 1373 (28 September 2001) UN Doc S/RES/1373, 2

Author

The first time you reference the document, give the name of the author in full, e.g. United Nations Security Council (UNSC). After that, it can be given in abbreviated form, e.g. UNSC.

Title

  • Abbreviate resolution to 'Res'
  • Do not cite resolution titles
  • Do not include 'The' at the beginning of the title
  • Use capitals for the major words.

Date

The date is always given in (round brackets).

Document number

Each UN document has a unique reference number ('symbol') located at the top right of the document.

You can find a guide on what UN symbols mean on the UN website.