A UN resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of a group of countries (the main organs are the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and Human Rights Council) in a particular area. Resolutions are numbered and published as individual documents, often with an annex containing the text of a convention. Resolutions are usually drafted by a committee or working group and are formally adopted by the issuing body at a session. The document is then circulated to the rest of the United Nations for adoption by all Member States.
Among the most widely known resolutions are UNSCR 242 (1967) and UNSC Res 1544 (2004), both of which call for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory, and UNSC Res 1373 (2008) that condemns sexual violence in armed conflict. Other resolutions include General Assembly Resolution 377(V) (commonly known as the Uniting for peace resolution), which established a process whereby an emergency special session could be convened when the Security Council is unable to deal with a pressing international issue, and UNSC Res 444 (2006), on nuclear disarmament, including calling upon those States that have not yet done so to do so without delay.
In addition to resolutions, the Security Council sometimes adopts non-binding presidential statements. These are intended to apply political pressure and serve as a warning that further action may be forthcoming. See our article on Presidential Statements for more information.
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