Peace and Security

THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Under the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Its structure allows it to function continuously, with a representative of each Member State present at United Nations Headquarters at all times. The Security Council meets primarily at the Organisation's headquarters in New York. However, meetings have also been held in other locations.

In cases of threats to peace, the Council's first action shall be to urge the parties to the dispute to attempt to settle the dispute by peaceful means. The Council may request mediation, appoint a Special Envoy or invite the Secretary-General to offer good offices. It may also lay down principles for the settlement of a dispute.

In cases of conflict, the Council's first concern is to bring about a ceasefire as soon as possible. It may also order peacekeeping operations to reduce tensions between the warring parties in order to create appropriate conditions for negotiations. The Council may decide to impose coercive measures, such as economic sanctions, or to take collective military action.

Member States against which measures have been taken may, on a proposal from the Council, be deprived of the rights conferred by membership of the Organisation. A Member State that systematically violates the Charter may even be expelled from the United Nations.

Members of the Organisation which are not members of the Council may participate, without the right to vote, in meetings of the Council when matters of national interest are under consideration; parties to disputes, whether or not members of the Organisation, shall be invited to participate in meetings of the Council; the conditions of such participation shall be determined by the Council.

The monthly presidency of the Council shall be rotated among the members in English alphabetical order.

In accordance with the UN Charter, the powers of the Security Council are summarised as follows:

-    Maintenance of international peace and security in accordance with the principles and objectives of the United Nations
-    Investigation of any dispute or situation which may lead to international friction
-    Proposing methods of settling disputes or terms for their settlement
-    Formulating plans for the establishment of an arms control system
-    Assessing the existence of a threat to peace or an act of aggression and recommending action to be taken
-    Inviting members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to deter or stop aggressive action
-    Taking military action against a state that uses force unlawfully
-    Proposal to admit new members
-    Proposal to the General Assembly for the appointment of the Secretary General and election jointly with the General Assembly of the Judges of the International Court of Justice.