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Twenty-fifth session
Agenda item 85

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly

[Adopted on a Report from the Sixth Committee (A/8082)]

2625 (XXV). Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning

Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 1815 (XVII) of 18 December 1962, 1966 (XVIII) of 16 December 1963, 2103 (XX) of 20
December 1965, 2181 (XXI) of 12 December 1966, 2327 (XXII) of 18 December 1967, 2463 (XXIII) of 20
December 1968 and 2533 (XXIV) of 8 December 1969, in which it affirmed the importance of the progressive
development and codification of the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and co-operation
among States,
Having considered the report of the Special Committee on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly
Relations and Co-operation among States, which met in Geneva from 31 March to 1 May 1970,
Emphasizing the paramount importance of the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international
peace and security and for the development of Friendly relations and Co-operation among States, Deeply convinced
that the adoption of the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations on the occasion of the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the United Nations would contribute to the strengthening of world peace and constitute a landmark in
the development of international law and of relations among States, in promoting the rule of law among nations and
particularly the universal application of the principles embodied in the Charter,
Considering the desirability of the wide dissemination of the text of the Declaration,
1. Approves the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation
among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the text of which is annexed to the present
resolution;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the Special Committee on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly
Relations and Co-operation among States for its work resulting in the elaboration of the Declaration;
3.

Recommends that all efforts be made so that the Declaration becomes generally known.
1883rd plenary meeting
24 October 1970

Annex
Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations
Preamble
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming in the terms of the Charter of the United Nations that the maintenance of international peace and
security and the development of friendly relations and co-operation between nations are among the fundamental
purposes of the United Nations,
Recalling that the peoples of the United Nations are determined to practise tolerance and live together in peace
with one another as good neighbours,
Bearing in mind the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace founded upon freedom,
equality, justice and respect for fundamental human rights and of developing friendly relations among nations
irrespective of their political, economic and social systems or the levels of their development,
Bearing in mind also the paramount importance of the Charter of the United Nations in the promotion of the rule
of law among nations,
Considering that the faithful observance of the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation among States and the fulfillment in good faith of the obligations assumed by States, in accordance with the
Charter, is of the greatest importance for the maintenance of international peace and security and for the
implementation of the other purposes of the United Nations,
Noting that the great political, economic and social changes and scientific progress which have taken place in the
world since the adoption of the Charter give increased importance to these principles and to the need for their more
effective application in the conduct of States wherever carried on,
Recalling the established principle that outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to
national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means, and mindful
of the fact that consideration is being given in the United Nations to the question of establishing other appropriate
provisions similarly inspired,
Convinced that the strict observance by States of the obligation not to intervene in the affairs of any other State is

an essential condition to ensure that nations live together in peace with one another, since the practice of any form of
intervention not only violates the spirit and letter of the Charter, but also leads to the creation of situations which
threaten international peace and security,
Recalling the duty of States to refrain in their international relations from military, political, economic or any other
form of coercion aimed against the political independence or territorial integrity of any State,
Considering it essential that all States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force
against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the
purposes of the United Nations,
Considering it equally essential that all States shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in
accordance with the Charter,
Reaffirming, in accordance with the Charter, the basic importance of sovereign equality and stressing that the
purposes of the United Nations can be implemented only if States enjoy sovereign equality and comply fully with the
requirements of this principle in their international relations,
Convinced that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a major
obstacle to the promotion of international peace and security, Convinced that the principle of equal rights and selfdetermination of peoples constitutes a significant contribution to contemporary international law, and that its
effective application is of paramount importance for the promotion of friendly relations among States, based on
respect for the principle of sovereign equality,
Convinced in consequence that any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and
territorial integrity of a State or country or at its political independence is incompatible with the purposes and
principles of the Charter,
Considering the provisions of the Charter as a whole and taking into account the role of relevant resolutions
adopted by the competent organs of the United Nations relating to the content of the principles,
Considering that the progressive development and codification of the following principles:
a. The principle that States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the
purposes of the United Nations,
b. 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,
c. The duty not to intervene in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the
Charter,
d. The duty of States to co-operate with one another in accordance with the Charter,
e. The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,
f. The principle of sovereign equality of States,
g. The principle that States shall fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the
Charter,
so as to secure their more effective application within the international community, would promote the realization of
the purposes of the United Nations,

Having considered the principles of international law relating to friendly relations and co-operation among States,
1.

Solemnly proclaims the following principles:

The principle that States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force
against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State or in any other manner
inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations
Every State has the duty to refrain in its international relations from the threat or use of force against
the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent
with the purposes of the United Nations. Such a threat or use of force constitutes a violation of
international law and the Charter of the United Nationsand shall never be employed as a means of
settling international issues.
A war of aggression constitutes a crime against the peace, for which there is responsibility under
international law.
In accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, States have the duty to refrain
from propaganda for wars of aggression.
Every State has the duty to refrain from the threat or use of force to violate the existing international
boundaries of another State or as a means of solving international disputes, including territorial
disputes and problems concerning frontiers of States.
Every State likewise has the duty to refrain from the threat or use of force to violate international
lines of demarcation, such as armistice lines, established by or pursuant to an international agreement
to which it is a party or which it is otherwise bound to respect. Nothing in the foregoing shall be
construed as prejudicing the positions of the parties concerned with regard to the status and effects of
such lines under their special regimes or as affecting their temporary character.
States have a duty to refrain from acts of reprisal involving the use of force.
Every State has the duty to refrain from any forcible action which deprives peoples referred to in the
elaboration of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of their right to self-determination
and freedom and independence.
Every State has the duty to refrain from organizing or encouraging the organization of irregular
forces or armed bands including mercenaries, for incursion into the territory of another State.
Every State has the duty to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in acts of
civil strife or terrorist acts in another State or acquiescing in organized activities within its territory
directed towards the commission of such acts, when the acts referred to in the present paragraph
involve a threat or use of force.
The territory of a State shall not be the object of military occupation resulting from the use of force
in contravention of the provisions of the Charter. The territory of a State shall not be the object of
acquisition by another State resulting from the threat or use of force. No territorial acquisition
resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal. Nothing in the foregoing shall
be construed as affecting:

a. Provisions of the Charter or any international agreement prior to the Charter regime and
valid under international law; or
b. The powers of the Security Council under the Charter.
All States shall pursue in good faith negotiations for the early conclusion of a universal treaty on
general and complete disarmament under effective international control and strive to adopt
appropriate measures to reduce international tensions and strengthen confidence among States.
All States shall comply in good faith with their obligations under the generally recognized principles
and rules of international law with respect to the maintenance of international peace and security,
and shall endeavour to make the United Nations security system based on the Charter more effective.
Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall be construed as enlarging or diminishing in any way the
scope of the provisions of the Charter concerning cases in which the use of force is lawful.
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
Every State shall settle its international disputes with other States by peaceful means in such a
manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered.
States shall accordingly seek early and just settlement of their international disputes by negotiation,
inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or
arrangements or other peaceful means of their choice. In seeking such a settlement the parties shall
agree upon such peaceful means as may be appropriate to the circumstances and nature of the
dispute.
The parties to a dispute have the duty, in the event of failure to reach a solution by any one of the
above peaceful means, to continue to seek a settlement of the dispute by other peaceful means agreed
upon by them.
States parties to an international dispute, as well as other States shall refrain from any action which
may aggravate the Situation so as to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security,
and shall act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
International disputes shall be settled on the basis of the Sovereign equality of States and in
accordance with the Principle of free choice of means. Recourse to, or acceptance of, a settlement
procedure freely agreed to by States with regard to existing or future disputes to which they are
parties shall not be regarded as incompatible with sovereign equality.
Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs prejudices or derogates from the applicable provisions of the
Charter, in particular those relating to the pacific settlement of international disputes.
The principle concerning the duty not to intervene in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of any
State, in accordance with the Charter
No State or group of States has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, for any reason whatever,
in the internal or external affairs of any other State. Consequently, armed intervention and all other
forms of interference or attempted threats against the personality of the State or against its political,

economic and cultural elements, are in violation of international law.

No State may use or encourage the use of economic political or any other type of measures to coerce
another State in order to obtain from it the subordination of the exercise of its sovereign rights and to
secure from it advantages of any kind. Also, no State shall organize, assist, foment, finance, incite or
tolerate subversive, terrorist or armed activities directed towards the violent overthrow of the regime
of another State, or interfere in civil strife in another State.
The use of force to deprive peoples of their national identity constitutes a violation of their
inalienable rights and of the principle of non-intervention.
Every State has an inalienable right to choose its political, economic, social and cultural systems,
without interference in any form by another State.
Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall be construed as reflecting the relevant provisions of the
Charter relating to the maintenance of international peace and security.
The duty of States to co-operate with one another in accordance with the Charter
States have the duty to co-operate with one another, irrespective of the differences in their political,
economic and social systems, in the various spheres of international relations, in order to maintain
international peace and security and to promote international economic stability and progress, the
general welfare of nations and international co-operation free from discrimination based on such
differences.
To this end:
c. States shall co-operate with other States in the maintenance of international peace and
security;
d. States shall co-operate in the promotion of universal respect for, and observance of, human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all, and in the elimination of all forms of racial
discrimination and all forms of religious intolerance;
e. States shall conduct their international relations in the economic, social, cultural, technical
and trade fields in accordance with the principles of sovereign equality and non-intervention;
f. States Members of the United Nations have the duty to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the United Nations in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter.
States should co-operate in the economic, social and cultural fields as well as in the field of science
and technology and for the promotion of international cultural and educational progress. States
should co-operate in the promotion of economic growth throughout the world, especially that of the
developing countries.
The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples
By virtue of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples enshrined in the Charter
of the United Nations, all peoples have the right freely to determine, without external interference,
their political status and to pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and every State
has the duty to respect this right in accordance with the provisions of the Charter.

Every State has the duty to promote, through joint and separate action, realization of the principle of
equal rights and self-determination of peoples, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter, and
to render assistance to the United Nations in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to it by the
Charter regarding the implementation of the principle, in order:
g. To promote friendly relations and co-operation among States; and
h. To bring a speedy end to colonialism, having due regard to the freely expressed will of the
peoples concerned;
and bearing in mind that subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation
constitutes a violation of the principle, as well as a denial of fundamental human rights, and is
contrary to the Charter.
Every State has the duty to promote through joint and separate action universal respect for and
observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Charter.
The establishment of a sovereign and independent State, the free association or integration with an
independent State or the emergence into any other political status freely determined by a people
constitute modes of implementing the right of self-determination by that people.
Every State has the duty to refrain from any forcible action which deprives peoples referred to above
in the elaboration of the present principle of their right to self-determination and freedom and
independence. In their actions against, and resistance to, such forcible action in pursuit of the
exercise of their right to self-determination, such peoples are entitled to seek and to receive support
in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter.
The territory of a colony or other Non-Self-Governing Territory has, under the Charter, a status
separate and distinct from the territory of the State administering it; and such separate and distinct
status under the Charter shall exist until the people of the colony or Non-Self-Governing Territory
have exercised their right of self-determination in accordance with the Charter, and particularly its
purposes and principles.
Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging any action
which would dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of
sovereign and independent States conducting themselves in compliance with the principle of equal
rights and self-determination of peoples as described above and thus possessed of a government
representing the whole people belonging to the territory without distinction as to race, creed or
colour.
Every State shall refrain from any action aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity
and territorial integrity of any other State or country.
The principle of sovereign equality of States
All States enjoy sovereign equality. They have equal rights and duties and are equal members of the
international community, notwithstanding differences of an economic, social, political or other
nature.

In particular, sovereign equality includes the following elements:

i.
j.
k.
l.
m.

States are judicially equal;

Each State enjoys the rights inherent in full sovereignty;
Each State has the duty to respect the personality of other States;
The territorial integrity and political independence of the State are inviolable;
Each State has the right freely to choose and develop its political, social, economic and
cultural systems;
n. Each State has the duty to comply fully and in good faith with its international obligations
and to live in peace with other States.
The principle that States shall fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with
the Charter
Every State has the duty to fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by it in accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations.
Every State has the duty to fulfil in good faith its obligations under the generally recognized
principles and rules of international law.
Every State has the duty to fulfil in good faith its obligations under international agreements valid
under the generally recognized principles and rules of international law.
Where obligations arising under international agreements are in conflict with the obligations of
Members of the United Nations under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligations under the
Charter shall prevail.

General Part
2.

Declares that:
In their interpretation and application the above principles are interrelated and each principle should be
construed in the context of the other principles. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed as prejudicing
in any manner the provisions of the Charter or the rights and duties of Member States under the Charter or
the rights of peoples under the Charter, taking into account the elaboration of these rights in this
Declaration.;

3. Declares further that: The principles of the Charter which are embodied in this Declaration constitute basic
principles of international law, and consequently appeals to all States to be guided by these principles in their
international conduct and to develop their mutual relations on the basis of the strict observance of these principles.
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