Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council

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Subsidiary Organs: Overview

Under Article 29 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council “may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions”. Over the years the Security Council has created a wide variety of organs to address issues relating both to the maintenance of peace and security, as well as to its own working methods and procedures.

Up until 1988, the Repertoire includes a detailed summary of both Council discussions and action for each subsidiary body that was established during the period covered. Information on subsidiary bodies that were established prior to the period covered in that volume is limited and can be found in the introductory note. Subsidiary organs are categorized under two subheadings of: “Involving, to facilitate their work, meetings at places away from the seat of the Organization”, which included missions and field offices, and “Not involving, to facilitate their work, meetings at places away from the seat of the Organization”, which includes committees and working groups among others.

From the 1989-1992 volume onwards, both newly established and ongoing subsidiary organs are given their own section in each volume and only Security Council decisions are covered. For these volumes, organs were organized by their type, similar to the categorization used below. For the complete proceedings, including the discussions and decisions around each subsidiary organ, please see the study on the relevant agenda item.

For a complete list and short description of all of the subsidiary organs that the Council has established since 1946, as well as links to more detailed information in the Repertoire please select the type of subsidiary organs: