United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

By Karen S. Pascual, UN Organizations

I. Overview
The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and
is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.
The Security Council held its first session on 17 January 1946 at Church House,
Westminster, London.
Since its first meeting, the Security Council has taken permanent residence at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York City.
It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

II. Membership
The Security Council consists of 15 members.
o 5 Permanent Members China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US
o 10 Non-permanent members elected on a regional basis to serve 2-year terms
These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including
those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.
o A negative vote or "veto" by a permanent member prevents adoption of a
proposal, even if it has received the required votes.
The body's Presidency rotates monthly between its members.
Security Council resolutions are typically enforced by UN peacekeepers, military forces
voluntarily provided by member states and funded independently of the main UN budget.

III. Function & Mandates
The UN's role in international collective security is defined by the UN Charter, which authorises
the Security Council to
o investigate any situation threatening international peace;
o recommend procedures for peaceful resolution of a dispute;
o call upon other member nations to completely or partially interrupt economic
relations as well as sea, air, postal, and radio communications, or to sever
diplomatic relations;
o and enforce its decisions militarily, or by any means necessary.
The Security Council also recommends the new Secretary-General to the General Assembly and
recommends new states for admission as member states of the United Nations.
Under Chapter VI of the Charter, "Pacific Settlement of Disputes", the Security Council "may
investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to
a dispute". However, these recommendations are generally considered to not be binding, as
they lack an enforcement mechanism.
Under Chapter VII (ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THREATS TO THE PEACE, BREACHES OF THE
PEACE, AND ACTS OF AGGRESSION) the Council has broader power to decide what measures
are to be taken in situations involving "threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, or acts of
aggression". Decisions under Chapter VII are binding on member states.
o In such situations, the Council is not limited to recommendations but may take
action, including the use of armed force "to maintain or restore international
peace and security".
o Decisions taken under Chapter VII, such as economic sanctions, are binding on
UN members;