Regional approaches to disarmament and security

Abstract

As stated in Article 52 of the United Nations Charter, nothing in the 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. In the same Article it is stated that 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. The General Assembly, for its part, in a great number of resolutions, has promoted regional approaches to disarmament and security. Over the years, regional organizations have been established in various parts of the world, supplementing the activities of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security, providing means of coordinating regional political activity and, possibly, of resolving concerns of regional security.