The Security Council
Under the Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.
The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
The Security Council also recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and the admission of new Members to the United Nations. And, together with the General Assembly, it elects the judges of the International Court of Justice.
Latest News
Security Council debate on ‘women, peace and security’ spotlights prevention and gender equality links
27 October 2017 At the Security Council today, a senior United Nations official called on Member States, regional organizations and civil society for greater partnership to boost women’s participation at all levels and help ensure UN peace efforts are stronger and more sustainable.
Crisis in Rakhine 'decades in the making' and reaches beyond Myanmar's borders – UN rights expert
26 October 2017 Voicing concern that hate speech and incitement to violence against Myanmar's Rohingya community has been “cultivated for decades” in the minds of the country's people, a United Nations human rights expert urged the Security Council to act strongly to resolve the crisis.
