Introduction: Evolution of machinery and approaches

The founding members of the United Nations, meeting in San Francisco on 26 June 1945 to sign the Charter, solemnly committed themselves to the purposes and principles of the Organization, the primary purpose being “to maintain international peace and security” (Article 1). In order to promote this purpose "with the least diversion for armaments of the world's human and economic resources” (Article 26), they conferred specific responsibilities in connexion with disarmament and the regulation of armaments on the Security Council and the General Assembly.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament