How the UN Security Council Works: Members, Votes and the Veto
Who sits on the UN Security Council, how a resolution is passed, what the veto means and why its decisions are legally binding but hard to enforce.
The United Nations Security Council is the body of the UN with primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It is the only UN organ whose decisions member states are obliged to carry out.
Who is on the Council
The Council has 15 members:
- Five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. These were the main Allied powers at the end of the Second World War.
- Ten non-permanent members: elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms, with five replaced each year. Seats are distributed to give regional balance across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and other states.
What the Council can do
Under the UN Charter, the Security Council can:
- call on parties to settle disputes peacefully,
- send peacekeeping missions and observers,
- impose sanctions such as arms embargoes or asset freezes, and
- in the last resort, authorise the use of force.
How a resolution passes
A resolution needs at least nine yes votes out of 15, and no veto from any permanent member. A permanent member voting “no” blocks the resolution, even if every other member supports it. A permanent member that abstains does not block it.
This is why the Council often struggles to act when the interests of a permanent member are involved. The veto has been used many times to protect allies or national interests, and calls to reform or limit it come up regularly.
The presidency
The presidency changes every month, going through the 15 members in English alphabetical order. The president chairs meetings and sets the agenda, but does not have extra voting power.
Are its decisions binding?
Resolutions adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which covers threats to peace and acts of aggression, are legally binding on all UN member states. In practice enforcement depends on the willingness of states to implement sanctions and missions, and on the UN’s own resources, which can be limited.
The wider UN
The Security Council is just one part of the UN. The General Assembly, where all 193 member states have one vote, debates global issues and approves the budget. Its resolutions are generally recommendations rather than binding decisions.
Frequently asked questions
How many votes does a Security Council resolution need?
At least nine of the 15 members must vote yes, and none of the five permanent members can vote no. An abstention by a permanent member does not block a resolution.
Are Security Council resolutions legally binding?
Resolutions adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter are legally binding on member states, but the Council relies on states and its own sanctions or missions to enforce them.
Who holds the presidency?
The presidency rotates monthly among the 15 members in English alphabetical order of their names.
