The Montreux Document reaffirms the existing obligations of States under international law, in particular, international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law, relating to the activities of private military and security companies (PMSCs) in situations of armed conflict. The Document also lists good practices to assist States in implementing these obligations. Although the Document was developed with the view that PMSCs operate in situations of armed conflict, it may also be instructive for post-conflict situations and for other, comparable situations. Furthermore, most of its good practices are ideally put in place during peacetime.

By providing a venue for informal consultation among Montreux Document participants, the Montreux Document Forum seeks to support national implementation of the Montreux Document, as well as to bring more states and international organisations to actively support it.