United Nations fact-finding missions are United Nations missions intended to discover facts. They are often sent to troubled areas

Declaration on fact-finding missions

On 9 December 1991, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/46/59, "Declaration on Fact-finding by the United Nations in the Field of the Maintenance of International Peace and Security". The declaration on fact-finding:

• defines and institutionalizes the use of fact-finding missions;
• states that it is not only a tool to gather information, but also to signal concern over a potentially explosive situation. It should be used at the earliest possible stage to prevent disputes.
• states that fact-finding should be "comprehensive, objective and impartial".
• Fact-finding missions may be undertaken by the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General, with the consent of the "receiving State".

Find mission reports

The Security Council authorizes fact-finding missions to conflict areas, in order to investigate the situations and evaluate UN activities. In their reports they also make recommendations for further actions. Reports of the missions are issued as mission reports.

• Reports of the Security Council Missions from 1992- are posted at the Security Council website.
• Declaration on Fact-Finding by the United Nations in the Field of the Maintenance of International Peace and Security. Introduction note, procedural history and relevant documents.