The Security Council is the part of the United Nations that can make decisions member countries are expected to carry out.
Who sits at the table
There are 15 members: five permanent ones and ten elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
Nine votes and no veto
A decision on anything beyond procedure needs at least nine votes in favour — and none of the five permanent members voting against it.
Why abstaining matters
A permanent member that disagrees but doesn't want to block a resolution can abstain instead. By long practice, an abstention is not treated as a veto.
Series · Part 3 of 4How Power Works
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- 1 Sample source: background reference
- 2 Sample source: official or primary document
- 3 Sample source: explainer from another publisher (facts only)
