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What is the United Nations Security Council?

01-09-2024

06:30 PM

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1 min read
What is the United Nations Security Council? Blog Image

Overview:

India should get its ‘rightful place’ as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), according to ex-Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, a former president of the top UN body.

About United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

  • It is one of the five principle organizations of the United Nations (UN).
  • It has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
  • Under the Charter of the UN, all Member States are obligated to comply with UNSC decisions.

  • The Security Council takes the lead indetermining the existence of a threat to peace or act of aggression. 
  • It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. 
  • In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
  • Powers:
    • Establishment of peacekeeping operations
    • Establishment of international sanctions
    • Authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions
  • Members: It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote.
    • 5 permanent members known as P5, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
    • The P5’s privileged status has its roots in the United Nations’ founding in the aftermath of World War II.
    • They have veto power over decisions of UNSC.
  • 10 non-permanent members: Each year the 193-member General Assembly elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term at the UNSC.
  • The nonpermanent members are generally chosen to achieve equitable representationamong geographic regions, with five members coming from Africa or Asia, one from eastern Europe, two from Latin America, and two from western Europe or other areas. 
  • The Security Council has permanent headquarters at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Q1: What is the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)?

It was established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations and is headquartered in New York City. It is one of the six principal organs of the UN and serves as the main policy-making organ of the Organization. It provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

Source: Ex-UNSC chief backs bid for permanent seat by India, ‘world’s third-most powerful country'