What is a United Nations publication?

The term “United Nations publication” refers to any written material issued by or for the United Nations, to a defined external audience. Examples of United Nations publications include major studies and reports, monographs, edited volumes, statistical compilations, conference proceedings, journals, serial publications such as yearbooks, the United Nations Treaty Series and other international law publications. 

United Nations publications are generally published in response to legislative mandates or requests by intergovernmental bodies and need authorization and certification of funds (if they are extra budgetary publications). Publications may be distributed free of charge or for a price. If sold, United Nations publications are assigned an International Standard Book Number (ISBN/eISBN) or, for serials and periodicals, an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN/eISSN). Publications may be published in print or electronic form, including as mobile applications, and in any other format or media as technology evolves.

After approval by the Publications Board, a proposed publication is then included in the Publications Programme.