United Nations Security Council

The Security Council is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Under the Charter, all Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to Governments, the Council alone has the power to take decisions which Member States are obligated under the Charter to carry out.  The Council is composed of five permanent members China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States) and ten non-permanent members who serve two-year terms (Belgium, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia, Indonesia, Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Panama, South Africa and Vietnam).

Procedural matters require an affirmative vote of nine of the 15 members. However, substantive matters require nine votes and the concurring votes of all five permanent members.