Codification Division Publications: Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs Codification Division Publications: Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs

Last update: August 23, 2016

Charter of the United Nations

Chapter VIII — Regional arrangements

Article 52

1. Nothing in the present Charter precludes the existence of regional arrangements or agencies for dealing with such matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action, provided that such arrangements or agencies and their activities are consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations.

2. The Members of the United Nations entering into such arrangements or constituting such agencies shall make every effort to achieve pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before referring them to the Security Council.

3. The Security Council shall encourage the development of pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies either on the initiative of the states concerned or by reference from the Security Council.

4. This article in no way impairs the application of Articles 34 and 35.

Extracts PDF
Repertory of Practice (1945–1954), volume 2 View PDF file
  Supplement No 1 (1954–1955), volume 1 View PDF file
  Supplement No 2 (1955–1959), volume 2 View PDF file
  Supplement No 3 (1959–1966), volume 2 View PDF file
  Supplement No 4 (1966–1969), volume 1 View PDF file
  Supplement No 5 (1970–1978), volume 2 View PDF file
  Supplement No 6 (1979–1984), volume 3 View PDF file