-Introduction-

The purpose of this Pathfinder is to identify major publications of the organizations comprising the United Nations system. Materials were selected with a view to currency, relevance and usefulness. Global studies and reports, handbooks and guides, bibliographies and indices, international statistical publications, compilations of treaties, resolutions and documents as well as annual reports of UN bodies and specialized agencies are included. Some standard reference works published outside of the UN system are also featured in the section "The United Nations and international organizations".

With few exceptions, publications of regional scope, such as those of the regional commissions, sessional and parliamentary documents, periodicals and periodical articles are excluded.

The Pathfinder attempts to cover the full spectrum of activities of the UN system but focuses on issues currently of primary interest: international security and peacekeeping, economic and social development, the environment, disarmament, international law and human rights. Within each topical chapter or sub-chapter, entries are listed alphabetically by title.

References (document symbols and sales numbers) are given for the latest edition received by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library. In the case of recurrent publications, links have been provided to United Nations Info Quest (UN-I-QUE), a ready reference database with complete listings of UN document symbols and sales numbers which will enable users to identify earlier editions.

CD-Roms and other electronic resources are excluded, but are listed elsewhere on the Dag Hammarskjöld Library homepage under DHL Electronic resources.

Documents and publications of the United Nations system can be consulted at depository libraries and UN Information Centres or purchased from theUN Sales Section or the publishing divisions of the specialized agencies.