Resolutions of the General Assembly are first published as individual documents:
From 1946-1975, the first 3,541 resolutions were consecutively numbered, with the session indicated in roman numerals, for example:
A/RES/217 (III) | Universal Declaration on Human Rights | 217th resolution, adopted in 3rd session |
A/RES/3201 (S-VI) | Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order | 3201st resolution, adopted in 6th special session |
A/RES/2252 (ES-V) | Humanitarian assistance | 2253rd resolution, adopted in 5th emergency special session |
Beginning in 1976, 31st session, the symbol includes the session information and order of adoption of the resolution, for example:
A/RES/44/25 | Convention on the Rights of the Child | 25th resolution of the 44th session |
A/RES/S-13/2 | United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990 | 2nd resolution of 13th special session |
A/RES/ES-8/2 | Question of Namibia | 2nd resolution of 8th emergency special session |
Decisions of the General Assembly are published in the sessional cumulation of resolutions and decisions. They are not issued as individual documents and have no document series symbol assigned to them.
From 1945-1975, decisions were unnumbered.
At the 31st session (1976), a numbering system similar to that for resolutions was established:
For decisions adopted at regular sessions:
For each session of the General Assembly, resolutions and decisions are compiled and issued as a supplement to the General Assembly Official Records (GAOR).
For regular sessions, starting with the 42nd session, the document has been assigned number 49, and is Supplement 49 to the GAOR.
Currently, there are usually 3 volumes:
Since the 59th session, the sessional cumulations have included information about the vote in the plenary on the draft resolution.