Advertisement

Image: Mike Segar/REUTERSSImage: Mike Segar/REUTERSS

UN Security Council

The Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with ensuring peace and security. China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are permanent members.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

A convoy transporting humanitarian aid crosses into Syria from Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

A convoy transporting humanitarian aid crosses into Syria from Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

In Idlib, aid is Russia's political football

Millions rely on humanitarian aid through one Syrian border crossing. A decision to keep it open may hinge on Ukraine.

Protesters hold up the three-finger salute during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon

Protesters hold up the three-finger salute during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon

China, Russia reportedly block UN statement on Myanmar

The UN Security Council statement sought to address ongoing violence in Myanmar since the February 2021 military coup.

A UN Security Council meeting

A UN Security Council meeting

China, Russia veto new UN sanctions on North Korea

The 13-2 vote in favor of the resolution was not enough to secure its adoption as Beijing and Moscow have veto-rights.

Images from devastation in Ukraine are displayed during a meeting of the UN Security Council earlier this month

Images from devastation in Ukraine are displayed during a meeting of the UN Security Council earlier this month

UN seeks to force explanations for Security Council vetoes

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the US, the UK, France, China and Russia have veto power.

President Zelenskyy on a large video screen in front of the UN Security Council members, seated at a horse-shoe shaped table

President Zelenskyy on a large video screen in front of the UN Security Council members, seated at a horse-shoe shaped table

UN Security Council lacks teeth

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia can veto any resolution against itself.

Rumänien F-16 Kampfflugzeug

Rumänien F-16 Kampfflugzeug

Who profits from the global arms trade?

How much of the global export of deadly weapons and sales is about profit rather than security?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in front of an intercontinental ballistic missile prior to its test launch on March 24

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in front of an intercontinental ballistic missile prior to its test launch on March 24

US calls for stiffer North Korea sanctions

Following recent missile tests, the US has urged the UN Security Council to levy heavier sanctions against Pyongyang.

UN peacekeepers in South Sudan

UN peacekeepers in South Sudan

UN: South Sudan peacekeeping mission extended for a year

The UN Security Council has extended the stay of its 19,000-strong peacekeeping force in South Sudan for another year.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks as British Ambassador to the U.N. Barbara Woodward and Albania's Ambassador to the U.N. Ferit Hoxha listen

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks as British Ambassador to the U.N. Barbara Woodward and Albania's Ambassador to the U.N. Ferit Hoxha listen

US, UN allies condemn N. Korea missile launches

North Korea has tested nine missiles since the beginning of the year, including a reported ballistic missile on March 5.

Demonstrators hold placards and flags as they attend a protest outside the Russian Embassy, in London

Demonstrators hold placards and flags as they attend a protest outside the Russian Embassy, in London

Ukraine urges UN Security Council meeting — as it happened

Ukraine has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. Follow DW for the latest.

President Joe Biden speaks at the White House about sanctioning Russia over its actions in Ukraine

President Joe Biden speaks at the White House about sanctioning Russia over its actions in Ukraine

Ukraine crisis: Biden announces sanctions on Russia

The US president said "this is the beginning of a Russian invasion" as he announced sanctions.

Security Council members

Security Council members

World leaders condemn Putin for Ukraine decision

Germany's UN ambassador said Russia had "unmasked itself" by recognizing separatist territories in eastern Ukraine.

A Russian armored vehicle drives off a platform after its arrival in Belarus.

A Russian armored vehicle drives off a platform after its arrival in Belarus.

US tells families of federal employees in Belarus to leave

The US State Department's travel advisory for Belarus came amid Russian troop buildup near its border with Ukraine.

USA New York | UN Sicherheitsrat -

USA New York | UN Sicherheitsrat -

Russia, US face off at UN over Ukraine

Washington has called the Russian troop buildup a major threat to "international peace."

Photo of Alice Wairimu Nderitu, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide

Photo of Alice Wairimu Nderitu, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide

Ethiopia's war: UN adviser on genocide prevention weighs in

The UN's special adviser on genocide says the parties fighting in Ethiopia's war have few options but to negotiate.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a Security Council meeting.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a Security Council meeting.

UN: Climate change increases risk of violent conflict

A reliance on shrinking resources, such as water, could increase tensions on the ground, UN chief Guterres has warned.

Afghan forces battle the Taliban in fierce streetfighting

Afghan forces battle the Taliban in fierce streetfighting

Afghanistan: UN envoy says Taliban city attacks 'must stop'

The comments from the UN's special envoy to Afghanistan came as the Taliban captured their first regional capital.

The abandoned beachfront of Turkish occupied Varosha

The abandoned beachfront of Turkish occupied Varosha

Security Council slams Turkish plans on Cyprus

The UN Security Council said on Friday plans to reopen Varosha could "harm prospects for a settlement" in Cyprus.

The Security Council chamber is seen from behind the council president's chair.

The Security Council chamber is seen from behind the council president's chair.

UN rejects Russian bid to scrap Bosnia peace envoy post

Russia had argued that the German politician set to take the post was not appointed by the Security Council.

UN Security Council, Germany sign

UN Security Council, Germany sign

UK supports Germany's UN Security Council ambitions

The two countries' foreign ministries have released a statement, suggesting closer collaboration.

Bab al-Hawa crossing

Bab al-Hawa crossing

UN draft seeks more cross-border Syria aid

The United Nations' mandate over a sole crossing point in Syria is due to end in July.

The diverted plane was operated by Irish budget airline Ryanair

The diverted plane was operated by Irish budget airline Ryanair

Belarus: Western countries demand plane diversion probe

Members of the UN Security Council said the incident showed "flagrant disregard for international law."

A horse-drawn cart is pulled past an excavator to assist in reclaiming valuable materials from a debris pile of a building destroyed by an airstrike prior to a cease-fire.

A horse-drawn cart is pulled past an excavator to assist in reclaiming valuable materials from a debris pile of a building destroyed by an airstrike prior to a cease-fire.

UN Security Council calls for adherence to Gaza cease-fire

The truce appeared to be holding as rallies across Israel called for peace and Hamas militants paraded Gaza.

Three rockets launched from the southern Gaza Strip toward Israel

Three rockets launched from the southern Gaza Strip toward Israel

EU calls for Israel-Gaza cease-fire

Meanwhile, officials now put the Gaza death toll at 212 and Israel vows to continue fighting.

Israeli airstrike in Gaza

Israeli airstrike in Gaza

Israeli-Palestinian crisis escalates as diplomacy lags

The Israeli military has launched new airstrikes on Gaza, as fighting enters a second week.

Lloret Excellence Forum Rosalia Arteaga

Lloret Excellence Forum Rosalia Arteaga

Rosalia Arteaga: First woman at the helm of the UN?

There is little doubt UN head Antonio Guterres will be reelected but the Forward campaign is fielding its own candidate.

People gather to mourn those who have died in Myanmar's anti-coup protests

People gather to mourn those who have died in Myanmar's anti-coup protests

Myanmar: UN envoy demands end to 'repression' of protesters

The UN special envoy on Myanmar called for international action against the junta after the February coup.

Win Htein

Win Htein

Myanmar military arrests senior Suu Kyi aide

Meanwhile, the UN has urged the Myanmar military to "fully respect the rule of law."

A small group of Nepalese Civil society activists hold placards reacting to the developments in Myanmar

A small group of Nepalese Civil society activists hold placards reacting to the developments in Myanmar

UN Security Council to meet over Myanmar

With world leaders condemning the military coup, it remains to be seen how the UN Security Council will respond.

Antonio Guterres in the Bundestag in Berlin

Antonio Guterres in the Bundestag in Berlin

UN chief Guterres: COVID vaccine 'belongs to the people'

Guterres urged for countries to ensure wide coronavirus vaccine access, saying it should be considered a "public good."

A humanitarian worker from UNHCR documents Ethiopian refugees

A humanitarian worker from UNHCR documents Ethiopian refugees

Ethiopia: UN Security Council meets as Tigray battle looms

The UN has expressed concern about possible violations of international law and an increasingly dire refugee situation.

Frankreich Präsident Macron | Rede an die Nation

Frankreich Präsident Macron | Rede an die Nation

France's Macron meets with Pompeo, calls for EU autonomy

Macron called the UN Security Council "no longer useful" and touted building "European autonomy."

Artillery fire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Artillery fire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Merkel urges ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed region shows no signs of easing as world leaders urge restraint.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass at the UN Security council in February 2020

German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass at the UN Security council in February 2020

Germany's UN reform bid revives an old ambition

Germany's push for an extended Security Council at the UN betrays the country's strengths and weaknesses globally.

(FILE) China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun

(FILE) China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun

China, US trade blame at UN over pandemic

"Enough is enough. You have created enough troubles for the world already," said China's UN ambassador.

Prisoners from Iraq and Syria, suspected of being part of the Islamic State, spend time in a prison's outside grounds in Hasaka, Syria

Prisoners from Iraq and Syria, suspected of being part of the Islamic State, spend time in a prison's outside grounds in Hasaka, Syria

US vetoes UN on foreign Islamic State fighters

The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that could decide the fate of those involved in terrorism.

Sitzung des UN-Sicherheitsrates zur Lage in Syrien Kelly Craft USA

Sitzung des UN-Sicherheitsrates zur Lage in Syrien Kelly Craft USA

UN rejects US push to 'snapback' Iran sanctions

The UN blocked a US bid to restore sanctions on Iran. In response, Washington accused opponents of backing "terrorists."

Iranian women security officials of the Bushehr nuclear plant

Iranian women security officials of the Bushehr nuclear plant

US seeks to trigger UN 'snapback' sanctions on Iran

The move escalates a dispute between the US and other members of the UN security council.

UN Security Council

UN Security Council

UN rejects Iran arms embargo extension

China and Russia rejected the US-sponsored resolution, while Germany was among 11 council members that abstained.

North Korean government photo shows a test of weapon systems

North Korean government photo shows a test of weapon systems

UN: North Korea 'probably' has mini nuclear warheads

Pyongyang, which hasn't conducted a nuclear test in nearly three years, is accused of still seeking to build an arsenal.

Red Cross delivers aid to Syria's Douma

Red Cross delivers aid to Syria's Douma

Russia, China veto Syria aid proposal in the UN

The UN remains split on the way to deliver aid to Syria, with Beijing and Moscow vetoing the latest humanitarian push.

Syrian children play kites during sunset at a camp for the displaced

Syrian children play kites during sunset at a camp for the displaced

UN council rejects Russia's Syria aid plan

Russia wanted to reduce the number of border crossings for aid to be brought into Syria's rebel strongholds.

A Syrian man shows marks of torture after his release from regime forces in 2012

A Syrian man shows marks of torture after his release from regime forces in 2012

'International community has failed completely' in Syria

The global "erosion of human rights standards" is of critical concern, the UN's top envoy on torture tells DW.

Adoption of the UN Charter in 1945

Adoption of the UN Charter in 1945

UN Charter: After 75 years, a stress test for global ideals

When 50 states signed the founding charter of the United Nations, the world was still dealing with the ravages of WWII.

USA Philadelphia Juneteenth Jahrestag

USA Philadelphia Juneteenth Jahrestag

AfricaLink on Air – 19 June 2020

US marks Juneteenth, a historic day to celebrate the official end of slavery +++Kenya returns to the UN Security Council

The UN Security Council in New York

The UN Security Council in New York

Kenya vs. Djibouti: Who will sit on the UN Security Council?

Kenya and Djbouti face another round of voting on Thursday over who will gain a seat on the UN Security Council.

MINUSMA mission soliers in 2019

MINUSMA mission soliers in 2019

Germany calls for international effort to stabilize Mali

Germany has pledged to expand its commitment to UN peacekeeping missions in the Sahel area of Africa.

A man counts his money at a currency exchange counter in the town of Binnish in Syria's Idlib province

A man counts his money at a currency exchange counter in the town of Binnish in Syria's Idlib province

US rejects Russian plan for Syria ceasefire

Russia requested the Security Council endorse a ceasefire for Syria, but the US refused, calling the truce "premature."

A fighter on the edge of Tripoli

A fighter on the edge of Tripoli

UN adopts Libya ceasefire resolution

The UN has approved an agreement that calls for a ceasefire and an end to foreign interference in the war in Libya.

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

Kushner presents Middle East plan to UN

Trump's adviser also blamed the Palestinian president for a spike in violence in the region.