The Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has the authority to investigate conflicts, impose sanctions, authorize peacekeeping missions, and approve the use of force when necessary to address threats to global stability.

The Council is composed of 15 members, including five permanent members known as the P5: United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. These permanent members hold veto power, meaning any one of them can block a substantive resolution. The remaining ten members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. Decisions on procedural matters require nine affirmative votes, while substantive matters also require no veto from any P5 member.

The Security Council plays a central role in conflict resolution, peace enforcement, and international security coordination, making it the most powerful decision-making body within the United Nations system