UN Security Council: Key Facts and Its Role in Global Peacekeeping

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the most powerful bodies within the UN system, dedicated to maintaining peace and preventing conflict across the globe. It consists of 15 member nations, each holding one vote, regardless of their size or influence.

The main duty of the Security Council is to ensure international peace and security. Unlike other UN bodies, its resolutions are generally binding on all 193 member states, which gives the Council a significant role in global governance.

Out of the 15 members, five countries—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—hold permanent seats. These nations also have the unique right to veto any major decision, which means a single dissent from any of them can block the adoption of a resolution.

The remaining ten members are elected on a rotational basis for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly, allowing diverse representation from different regions of the world.

While the UN Secretary-General attends Security Council meetings and may provide reports or updates, they do not lead or control the Council’s decisions.

The UNSC remains a central mechanism through which the United Nations addresses threats to global peace and works to prevent international crises.