Security Council

The Security Council was established in 1945 as one of six core institutions of the United Nations (UN). As set out in Article 24 of the UN Charter, the foundation treaty of the United Nations, the Security Council is responsible for the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council constitutes the only UN organ with the power to issue binding resolutions to UN member states.

[Page 1527]The Security Council comprises 15 member states. Five of these members—China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States—hold permanent seats, a privilege that stems from their centrality to the creation of the United Nations. The remaining 10 members are elected every two years by the General Assembly to represent different geographic regions. ...