How to Find a UN Document Using a UN Document Symbol
Introduction
A UN document symbol is a combination of numbers and letters which serves as a unique identifier for a United Nations document. This symbol is typically found in the upper right-hand corner of a document. Symbols are frequently referenced in other UN documents and academic works about the UN.
More information on symbols is available in the United Nations Documentation: Research Guide.
Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS)
If you have a UN document symbol, e.g. S/2009/391, you can often locate the corresponding document using the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS). The ODS contains the full-text of almost all documents issued since 1993 and select documents from earlier years.
You can access the ODS from the Documents link on the UN home page.
Classic ODS
New ODS
United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBISnet)
Sometimes, you will find that your desired document is not available in ODS, e.g. E/CONF.85/L.33. Generally, this is because the document is older and has not been scanned. In these cases, you may find it useful to search the United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBISnet). UNBISnet provides bibliographic records for documents from roughly 1980 onwards that contain potentially useful information. Also, if a document is available in full-text, UNBISnet will provide a link to the various language versions.
You can access UNBISnet from the Documents link on the UN home page.
Show Me (html version)The resulting record will give you title and subject information on the document. If you decide you want to retrieve the document, you can visit your nearest depository library or contact the UN Reference Team, which may be able to scan and send you the item.
