United Nations Security Council facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
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UN Security Council Chamber in New York City
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| Org type | Principal organ |
| Status | Active |
| Headquarters | New York City, U.S. |
| Website | un.org/securitycouncil |
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a very important part of the United Nations (UN). Its main job is to keep peace and safety around the world. It also helps new countries join the UN and approves changes to the UN's main rulebook, the UN Charter.
The UNSC can set up peacekeeping missions, put rules on countries, and even allow military action. It is the only UN group that can make rules that all member countries must follow.
The Security Council was created after World War II. It was meant to fix problems that the old League of Nations had in keeping world peace. The UNSC had its first meeting on 17 January 1946. For many years, it was hard for the UNSC to act because of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Even so, it approved military actions in the Korean War and the Congo Crisis. It also sent peacekeepers to places like Cyprus and the Sinai Peninsula. After the Soviet Union broke apart, UN peacekeeping grew a lot. The Security Council approved big missions in places like Kuwait, Cambodia, and Rwanda.
The Security Council has fifteen members. Five of these are permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries were the main winners of World War II. Permanent members can veto (block) any important decision. This includes decisions about new UN members or who should be the Secretary-General.
The other ten members are chosen from different regions for two-year terms. The country that leads the Council, called the President, changes every month.
Decisions made by the Security Council are often carried out by UN peacekeepers. These are soldiers from different UN member countries. They are paid for separately from the main UN budget. As of November 2021, there were over 87,000 peacekeepers from 121 countries. Their yearly cost was about $6.3 billion.
Contents
How the Security Council Started
Early Efforts for Peace
Before the UN, there were other groups and meetings that tried to stop wars. Examples include the International Committee of the Red Cross. After World War I, which caused huge losses of life, the League of Nations was formed. It aimed to keep peace between countries.
The League of Nations did solve some small problems. But it did not include many important countries like the US, the Soviet Union, Germany, and Japan. It also failed to stop big conflicts. For example, it could not stop Japan's invasion of China or Adolf Hitler's actions that led to World War II.
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On New Year's Day in 1942, leaders from the US, UK, Soviet Union, and China signed a document. It was called the United Nations Declaration. Soon, 22 more countries signed it. This was the first time the name "United Nations" was officially used. These four main Allied countries were called the "Four Powers". They became the basis for the Security Council.
Creating the Security Council
After meetings in Moscow and Tehran in 1943, the "Big Four" countries met again in 1944. This was the Dumbarton Oaks Conference. They discussed how the UN would work. A big topic was who would be on the Security Council. France, China, the Soviet Union, the UK, and the US were chosen as permanent members.
The hardest part to agree on was the "veto power" for permanent members. The Soviet Union wanted to be able to block any discussion. The British thought countries should not veto issues they were involved in. At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the US, UK, and Russia agreed. The "Big Five" could veto any action by the Council. But they could not stop discussions about a topic.
On 25 April 1945, the UN Conference started in San Francisco. Fifty governments met to write the UN Charter. Some countries wanted to limit the veto power more. But this idea was rejected because leaders feared the UN would not be created without the strong veto.
The UN officially began on 24 October 1945. This was when the five permanent members and most other countries approved the Charter. The Security Council met for the first time on 17 January 1946 in London.
The Security Council During the Cold War
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In its early years, the Security Council often struggled because of the Cold War. This was a period of tension between the US and the Soviet Union. The Council could usually only get involved in conflicts that were not tied to the Cold War.
One big exception was in 1950. The Security Council allowed a US-led group to stop North Korea's invasion of South Korea. This happened because the Soviet Union was not present at the vote. In 1956, the first UN peacekeeping force was sent to end the Suez Crisis. However, the UN could not stop the Soviet Union from invading Hungary.
The Cold War also stopped the Security Council's Military Staff Committee. This group was supposed to oversee UN forces. But it stopped most of its work in the mid-1950s.
In 1960, the UN sent its largest military force at the time to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This force helped bring order back to the country. But in some bigger conflicts, like the Cuban Missile Crisis or the Vietnam War, the superpowers talked directly instead of through the UN.
The Security Council then focused on smaller conflicts. It sent peacekeepers to Western New Guinea in 1962 and Cyprus in 1964. The mission in Cyprus became one of the UN's longest peacekeeping efforts.
On 25 October 1971, the People's Republic of China (mainland China) took over China's seat on the Security Council. This happened despite US opposition. It showed that US influence in the UN was changing. By the 1970s, the UN started focusing more on economic development and cultural exchange. Its budget for these areas grew much larger than its peacekeeping budget.
The Security Council After the Cold War
After the Cold War ended, UN peacekeeping grew a lot. In just ten years, it took on more missions than in its first four decades. Between 1988 and 2000, the number of Security Council decisions more than doubled. The peacekeeping budget also increased more than tenfold.
The UN helped end the Salvadoran Civil War. It also ran a successful peacekeeping mission in Namibia. It oversaw democratic elections in South Africa after Apartheid and in Cambodia. In 1991, the Security Council quickly condemned Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. It then allowed a US-led group to push Iraq out.
However, the UN also faced tough challenges. In the early 1990s, there were many crises within countries, like in Haiti and the former Yugoslavia. The UN mission in Bosnia was criticized for not being decisive enough during ethnic cleansing. In 1994, the UN failed to stop the Rwandan genocide because the Security Council could not decide what to do.
In the late 1990s, UN-approved actions took different forms. The UN mission in the Sierra Leone Civil War was helped by British forces. The 2001 invasion of Afghanistan was overseen by NATO. In 2003, the US invaded Iraq without a UN Security Council approval. This made people question how effective the UN was.
Later, the Security Council sent peacekeepers to conflicts like the War in Darfur in Sudan. In 2013, a review of UN actions in the Sri Lankan Civil War found that the organization had "systemic failure." In 2014, Egypt suggested expanding a treaty about nuclear weapons to include Israel and Iran. This was due to conflicts in the Middle East. All permanent members of the Security Council have nuclear weapons.
What the Security Council Does
The UN Charter explains the Security Council's job in keeping international peace. It can look into any situation that threatens peace. It can suggest ways to solve problems peacefully. It can ask countries to stop trade or diplomatic ties. It can also use military force to make its decisions happen.
The Security Council also suggests new Secretary-Generals and new countries to join the UN. Usually, the Council focuses on military safety. But in 2000, it passed a resolution about HIV/AIDS in Africa, showing it can also deal with other global issues.
Under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, the Security Council can "investigate any dispute" that might lead to trouble. It can suggest ways to fix the problem. These suggestions are usually not binding, meaning countries don't have to follow them.
Under Chapter VII, the Council has more power. It can decide what to do when there are "threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, or acts of aggression." In these cases, the Council can take action, including using armed force. This was the basis for UN actions in Korea in 1950, and in Iraq and Kuwait in 1991. Decisions made under Chapter VII, like economic sanctions, are binding on UN members. The Security Council is the only UN body that can make binding decisions.
The Rome Statute says the Security Council can send cases to the International Criminal Court. This is even if the Court would not normally have power over those cases. The Council first did this in 2005 for the situation in Darfur. It did it again in 2011 for the 2011 Libyan civil war.
In 2006, the Security Council passed Resolution 1674. This resolution says the Council has a "responsibility to protect" people from terrible crimes. These include genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. This means the Council is committed to protecting civilians in armed conflicts.
Who Are the Members?
Permanent Members
The five permanent members of the Security Council have the power to veto any important decision. This means they can stop a decision from being made, even if most other members agree.
| Country | Regional group | Current state representation | Former state representation |
|---|---|---|---|
 China |
Asia-Pacific |  People's Republic of China |
 Republic of China (1945–1949,1949–1971) |
 France |
Western Europe and Others |  French Republic |
 Provisional Govt. (1945–1946)Fourth Republic (1946–1958) |
 Russia |
Eastern Europe |  Russian Federation |
 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1945–1991) |
 United Kingdom |
Western Europe and Others |  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
N/A |
 United States |
Western Europe and Others |  United States of America |
N/A |
When the UN started in 1945, the permanent members were China (represented by the Nationalist Government), France, the Soviet Union, the UK, and the US. There have been two main changes since then. China's seat was first held by the Republic of China. But in 1949, the Communist Party took control of mainland China. In 1971, the People's Republic of China became the official representative of China in the UN.
After the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, the Russian Federation took its place on the Security Council.
These five permanent members were the winners of World War II. They have had the strongest militaries ever since. They spend the most money on defense each year. They are also the only countries officially recognized as having nuclear weapons under a special treaty.
What is the Veto Power?
For the Security Council to make a decision on important matters, at least nine of the fifteen members must vote yes. But if any of the five permanent members votes no (casts a "veto"), the decision cannot be made. This is true even if nine or more members voted yes. However, a permanent member cannot veto a discussion from happening.
When the UN was being created, many smaller countries did not like the idea of the veto power. But the five big powers (US, UK, China, France, and the Soviet Union) insisted on it. They said that if there was no veto, the UN would not be formed at all.
As of 2012, there had been 269 vetoes. The Soviet Union/Russia used the veto the most (128 times). The US used it 89 times, the UK 32, France 18, and China 9. Most of the Soviet/Russian vetoes happened in the first ten years of the Council. Between 1996 and 2012, the US used 13 vetoes, Russia 7, and China 5. France and the UK did not use it during that time.
An early veto by the Soviet Union in 1946 showed that permanent members could use the veto on issues not directly about war or peace. The Soviet Union also vetoed many countries from joining the UN, delaying their membership for years. The UK and France used the veto to avoid being criticized for their actions in the 1956 Suez Crisis. The US first used its veto in 1970. From 1985 to 1990, the US vetoed 27 decisions, mostly to protect Israel's interests. All three (Soviet Union, US, China) have vetoed candidates for Secretary-General.
Non-Permanent Members
Besides the five permanent members, the Security Council also has ten temporary members. These members hold their seats for two years and are chosen from different parts of the world. They also take part in global security discussions. When the Council first started, it had six non-permanent members. In 1965, this number was increased to ten.
These ten members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly. Five new members are chosen each year. To be elected, a country needs at least two-thirds of the votes. This can sometimes lead to long voting periods. For example, in 1979, Cuba and Colombia had a tie that lasted for 154 rounds of voting! They both eventually stepped aside for Mexico. A country that has just finished its term cannot be re-elected right away.
The ten non-permanent seats are divided among different regional groups:
- African Group: 3 members
- Asia-Pacific Group: 2 members
- Latin America and the Caribbean Group: 2 members
- Western European and Others Group: 2 members
- Eastern European Group: 1 member
One of the seats from the Asia-Pacific or African Group is usually held by a country from the Arab world.
In 2016, Italy and the Netherlands could not get enough votes to be elected. They agreed to share the two-year term. This was the first time in over 50 years that two countries split a term. Usually, if there's a tie, the countries withdraw and a new candidate is chosen.
Here are the current elected members and the regions they represent:
| Term | Africa | Asia-Pacific | Eastern Europe | Latin America and Caribbean |
Western Europe and Other |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |  Gabon |
 Ghana |
 United Arab Emirates |
 Albania |
 Brazil |
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| 2023 |  Mozambique |
 Japan |
 Ecuador |
 Malta |
 Switzerland |
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| 2024 |  Algeria |
 Sierra Leone |
 Republic of Korea |
 Slovenia |
 Guyana |
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| 2025 | ||||||||||
The President of the Security Council
The person who is President of the Security Council has several important jobs. They set the meeting schedule, lead the meetings, and manage any crises. The President can also make official statements if all Council members agree.
The presidency changes every month. Each member country takes a turn, following the English alphabet order of their names.
Here is the list of countries that will be President in 2024:
| Month | Country |
|---|---|
| January | France |
| February |  Guyana |
| March |  Japan |
| April |  Malta |
| May |  Mozambique |
| June |  South Korea |
| July | Russia |
| August |  Sierra Leone |
| September |  Slovenia |
| October |  Switzerland |
| November | United Kingdom |
| December | United States |
Where the Security Council Meets
Unlike other UN groups, the Security Council does not have set "sessions." Each member country must always have a representative ready at the UN Headquarters in New York City. This is in case an emergency meeting is needed.
The Security Council usually meets in a special room in the UN Conference Building in New York City. Norway gave this room as a gift. A mural by Norwegian artist Per Krohg is in the room. It shows a phoenix rising from ashes. This symbolizes the world rebuilding after World War II.
The Security Council has also met in other cities. These include Nairobi, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Geneva, Switzerland. In 2010, the Council moved to a temporary place while its main room was being fixed. The repairs were paid for by Norway and cost $5 million. The main room reopened on 16 April 2013.
The representatives sit at a horseshoe-shaped table. The President sits in the middle. Other representatives sit in alphabetical order around the table. This order changes each month when the presidency rotates.
Because the main meeting room is public, countries sometimes use it to show their feelings. For example, they might walk out of a meeting.
Private Meetings
Much of the Security Council's work happens in "informal consultations." These are private meetings held behind closed doors.
In 1978, West Germany paid for a new meeting room next to the main chamber. This room was used for these private talks. Over time, these private meetings became the main way the Security Council worked. In 1994, the French ambassador complained that public meetings were becoming rare and empty. Everyone knew decisions were made in private first.
Only members of the Security Council can be in these private meetings. The press is not allowed, and other UN members cannot be invited. No official record is kept of these talks. This allows countries to negotiate and make deals in secret. It also helps delegates be more friendly with each other.
If a permanent member says they are against a plan in a private meeting, it's like a "pocket veto." Since a formal veto would stop the plan anyway, the country proposing it usually just drops the idea. By the time a plan reaches the public meeting, it has already been discussed and changed in private. The public meeting is often just a formal approval of a decision already made. For example, Resolution 1373 was approved in a public meeting that lasted only five minutes.
The Security Council holds many more private meetings than public ones. In 2012, it had 160 private consultations but only 9 public meetings. During crises, the Council still meets mostly in private. But it also holds more public meetings. After the Russo-Ukrainian War started in 2014, public meetings became more common again.
UN Peacekeepers
After the Security Council approves, the UN can send peacekeepers to areas where fighting has stopped. Their job is to make sure peace agreements are followed. They also try to stop fighting from starting again. The UN does not have its own army. So, countries volunteer their soldiers for these missions. These soldiers are often called "Blue Helmets" because of their helmets. The peacekeeping forces won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.
As of February 2023, the UN had almost 87,000 peacekeepers and civilian staff. They were serving in 12 peacekeeping missions. 121 countries provided soldiers. The largest mission was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), with over 20,000 staff. The smallest was in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), with 42 staff. UN peacekeepers have been in the Middle East since 1948. This is the longest active peacekeeping mission.
UN peacekeepers have faced some criticism. For example, UN peacekeepers from Nepal were linked to a cholera outbreak in Haiti in 2010. This outbreak killed over 8,000 people.
The money for peacekeeping is separate from the main UN budget. From July 2021 to June 2022, peacekeeping cost about $6.38 billion. This money pays for most ongoing missions. It also supports logistics centers in Italy and Uganda.
For the 2020–2021 budget, the top 10 countries paying for UN peacekeeping were the US, China, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Russia, Canada, and South Korea.
Changing the Security Council
People have been talking about changing the Security Council since it was first created. As one historian said, "Everyone agrees that the present structure is flawed. But consensus on how to fix it remains out of reach."
One idea is to add more permanent members. The countries that want permanent seats the most are Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan. Japan and Germany used to be the second and third largest funders of the UN. Brazil and India send many troops to UN peacekeeping missions.
Italy leads a group called Uniting for Consensus. This group is against adding more permanent seats. Countries in this group include Canada, South Korea, and Spain. They suggest creating a new type of seat that is still non-permanent but for a longer time. They also discuss changing the veto power, maybe even getting rid of it or limiting it.
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan asked for ideas to reform the UN. One idea was to add five more permanent members. These would likely include Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, and one country from Africa (like Egypt, Nigeria, or South Africa). Also, one seat from the Arab League could be added. In 2004, the G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, Japan) said they support each other's claims for permanent seats. To make this happen, two-thirds of the General Assembly (128 votes) would need to agree.
The current permanent members have different views on reform. The US supports Japan's permanent membership and also supports India and a few more non-permanent members. The UK and France generally support the G4 idea. China supports more representation for developing countries but is against Japan becoming a permanent member.
In 2017, the G4 nations said they would be willing to give up their veto power for a while if they became permanent members. In the US House of Representatives, some members introduced a resolution to support India becoming a permanent member.
Some people suggest changing the Security Council's structure. The Noble World Foundation (NWF) suggests that membership and veto power could go to groups of countries, like the European Union (EU). This idea fits with how non-permanent members are chosen by region. It could make the Council better at making decisions. The EU is a good example of countries working together. The NWF believes that regional groups like the EU could become UN Security Council members. This could be a big change without needing to change the UN Charter.
See Also
In Spanish: Consejo de Seguridad de las Naciones Unidas para niños
- Reform of the United Nations
- Small Five Group, a group that wants to make the Security Council work better
- United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, helps the Security Council with its work
- United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, a special committee of the Security Council
