The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. Here are key aspects of the UNSC:
Establishment and Purpose
- Established: The UNSC was created under the United Nations Charter which was signed in San Francisco in 1945, with the primary goal of preventing another world war like WWII.
- Role: Its primary responsibility is to maintain peace and security among nations, by taking effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace.
Composition
- Permanent Members: The UNSC has five permanent members with veto power - the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
- Non-Permanent Members: Ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly on a regional basis.
Functions
- Peacekeeping: The UNSC can establish United Nations Peacekeeping operations to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace.
- Sanctions: It can impose sanctions to maintain or restore international peace and security.
- Authorizations: It authorizes the use of force when necessary to restore peace.
Veto Power
- Each of the five permanent members has the power to veto any substantive resolution, which can paralyze the Council's action if one member objects.
Reform Discussions
- There have been ongoing discussions about reforming the UNSC to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities, including the addition of new permanent members and changes to veto powers.
Notable Actions
- Korean War: The UNSC authorized military action to repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea in 1950.
- Iraq: After Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, the UNSC authorized the use of force to liberate Kuwait.
- Libya: In 2011, the UNSC passed Resolution 1973, which led to a NATO-led intervention in Libya to protect civilians.
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