UN Security Council

An organ of the United Nation (UN) primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace
and security. Their responsibility makes the SC a key influence in the direction of the affairs not only of
the Organization but of the entire international community as well.

SC Functions and Powers:

1. 1.to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of
the UN;
2. to investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction;
3. 3.to recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement;
4. 4.to formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments;
5. 5.to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend
what action should be taken;
6. 6.to call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of
force to prevent or stop aggression;
7. 7.to take military action against an aggressor;
8. 8.to recommend the admission of new Members;
9. 9.to exercise the trusteeship functions of the UN in "strategic areas"; and
10. to recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and,
together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.

SC Composition

Composed of 15 members, 5 of which are permanent. The so-called Big Five are China, France, the
European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The other ten members are elected for 2-year terms by the GA, 5 from the African and Asian states, 1
from Eastern European states, 2 from Latin American states, and 2 from Western European and other
states. Their terms have been so staggered as to provide for the retirement of ½ of them every year.

These members are not eligible for immediate re-election.

Chairmanship of the SC is rotated monthly on the basis of the English alphabetical order of the names of
the members.

SC Sessions

The SC is required to function continuously and to hold itself in readiness in case of threat to or actual
breach of international peace. For this purpose, all members should be represented at all times at the
seat of the Organization.

SC Voting Rules

Each member of the SC has 1 vote, but distinction is made between the permanent and the non-
permanent members in the decision of substantive questions.

Yalta Voting Formula

a) Procedural matters – 9 votes of any of SC members

 b) Substantive matters – 9 votes including 5 permanent votes.

No member, permanent or not, is allowed to vote on questions concerning the pacific settlement of a
dispute to which it is a party.

Rule of Great-Power Unanimity: a negative vote by any permanent member on a non-procedural

matter often referred to as “veto”, means rejection of the draft resolution or proposal, even if it has
received 9 affirmative votes.

- Abstention or absence of a member is not regarded as veto

Procedural and Substantive Matters Distinguished

Procedural matters include:

a. questions relating to the organization and meetings of the Council;

b. the establishment of subsidiary organs; and
c. the participation of states parties to a dispute in the discussion of the SC.

Substantial matters include those that may require the SC under its responsibility of maintaining or
restoring world peace to invoke measures of enforcement.

What is the role of a Member of the UN but not a member of the Security Council?

Although not a member of the SC, it may participate (without vote) in the discussion of any question
before the Council whenever the latter feels that the interests of that member are specially affected.
Such member is likewise to be invited by the Council to participate (without vote)in the discussion of
any dispute to which the Member is a party.

Q: Loolapalooza conducted illegal invasion and conquest against Moooxaxa. The UN Security Council
called for enforcement action against Loolapalooza. Does enforcement action include sending of
fighting troops?

A: NO. Compliance with the resolution calling for enforcement action does not necessarily call for the
sending of fighting troops. There must be a special agreement with the SC before sending of fighting
troops may be had and such agreement shall govern the numbers and types of forces, their degree of
readiness and general locations, and the nature of the facilities and assistance to be supplied by UN
members.