The United Nations - Documents

Export Controls: The United Nations

The United Nations has contributed in a number of ways to developing the export and import regulations that are applied nationally by states.

In the early 1990s consultations among the five permanent members of the Security Council and in the Disarmament Commission produced guidelines that have been influential in shaping subsequent discussions in other forums.

UN member states have been encouraged to put in place laws, regulations and administrative procedures to exercise effective control over the production, import and export of arms of different kinds.

The UN Security Council may decide measures to give effect to its decisions. Measures may include sanctions such as the complete or partial interruption of economic relations and, where sanctions have been imposed, they have often included an arms embargo.

Where the Security Council has established an arms embargo states should put in place the necessary laws, regulations and administrative procedures to assure effective national implementation.