Recalling that in its resolution 1815 (XVII) of 18 December 1962 the principle that States shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered is mentioned as one of the principles to be studied at the eighteenth session of the General Assembly,

Recognizing the need to promote further development and strengthening of various means of settling disputes, as described in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations,

Considering that, in Article 33 of the Charter, inquiry is mentioned as one of the peaceful means by which the parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall seek a solution,

Considering further that inquiry, investigation and other methods of fact-finding are also referred to in other instruments of a general or regional nature,

Believing that an important contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes and to the prevention of such disputes could be made by providing for impartial fact-finding within the framework of international organizations and in bilateral and multilateral conventions,

Taking into account that, with regard to methods of fact-finding in international relations, a considerable practice is available to be studied for the purpose of the progressive development of such methods,

Believing that such a study might include the feasibility and desirability of establishing a special international body for fact-finding or of entrusting to an existing organization fact-finding responsibilities complementary to existing arrangements and without prejudice to the right of parties to any dispute to seek other peaceful means of settlement of their own choice,

1.Invites Member States to submit in writing to the Secretary-General. before 1 June 1964, any views they may have on this subject and requests the Secretary-General to communicate these comments to Member States before the beginning of the nineteenth session;

2.Requests the Secretary-General to study the relevant aspects of the problem under consideration and to report on the results of such study to the General Assembly at its nineteenth session and to the Special Committee on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States established under Assembly resolution 1966 (XVIII) of 16 December 1963;

3.Requests the Special Committee to include in its deliberations the subject-matter mentioned in the last preambular paragraph of the present resolution.

1281st plenary meeting
16 December 1963