United Nations Security Council Fast Facts
Here’s a look at the United Nations Security Council, a 15-member body within the United Nations.
Overview
The Security Council has 15 members.
There are five permanent members: the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China and the United Kingdom.
Ten temporary members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
UN Security Council Voting
To be approved, a Council resolution must have nine “YES” votes out of 15 and no “NO” votes from any of the five permanent members.
Each Council member has one vote.
A “NO” vote from one of the five permanent members kills the resolution.
There is no such thing as a “VETO” vote in formal UN rules, though a “NO” vote from a permanent member has the effect of vetoing a resolution.
If a member “ABSTAINS” from voting, it does not count as either a “YES” or “NO” vote.
Members raise their hands to vote, and sit at a horseshoe-shaped table.
Each of the five Permanent Members has gone to war or invaded a country without Security Council approval.
Security Council Vetoes
A list of resolutions presented to the Security Council, along with the permanent member negative votes, can be found here.
UN Security Council Presidency
The presidency of the Council rotates monthly, going alphabetically among member states.
2021 Schedule of Presidency
January: Tunisia
February: United Kingdom
March: United States
April: Vietnam
May: China
June: Estonia
July: France
August: India
September: Ireland
October: Kenya
November: Mexico
December: Niger
UNSC Functions & Power
All Members of the United Nations agree to accept and execute the decisions of the Security Council:
“to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations;”
“to investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction;”
“to recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement;”
“to formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments;”
“to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken;”
“to call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression;”
“to take military action against an aggressor;”
“to recommend the admission of new Members;”
“to exercise the trusteeship functions of the United Nations in ‘strategic areas’;”
“to recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and, together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.”
