United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is the UN organ with primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Under Article 24 of the UN Charter, UN members confer this responsibility on the Council, which acts on their behalf.

Composition and election

The Council has 15 members: five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The permanent members are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

• Under Article 23, election gives special regard to contributions to international peace and security and to equitable geographical distribution.
• Non-permanent members are elected by a two-thirds majority of General Assembly members present and voting, through secret ballot.
• By established regional practice, the ten seats comprise five African and Asia-Pacific, one Eastern European, two Latin American and Caribbean, and two Western European and other States.
• Five members are elected annually; a retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.

Voting and the veto

Under Article 27, procedural decisions require nine affirmative votes. Decisions on all other, commonly called substantive, matters require nine affirmative votes, including the concurring votes of the permanent members.

• A negative vote by any permanent member blocks a substantive decision and is therefore a veto, even if nine or more members otherwise support it.
• A permanent member's abstention or non-participation does not prevent adoption if the proposal receives the required nine affirmative votes.
• A party to a dispute must abstain from voting on decisions under Chapter VI and Article 52(3).

Peace and security powers

The Council combines peaceful dispute settlement with enforcement powers, making it the central UN organ for collective security.

• Under Chapter VI, it may investigate disputes and recommend methods or terms for peaceful settlement.
• Under Article 39 and Chapter VII, it may identify a threat to peace, breach of peace or act of aggression.
• It may impose non-military measures under Article 41 and authorize military action under Article 42.
• Under Article 25, UN members agree to accept and carry out Council decisions in accordance with the Charter.
• Under Article 12, the General Assembly ordinarily cannot recommend on a dispute or situation while the Council is exercising its assigned functions, unless the Council requests it.