United Nations Security Council

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Credibility Rating

4/5

High(4)

High quality. Established institution or organization with editorial oversight and accountability.

Rating inherited from publication venue: United Nations

The UN Security Council is referenced in AI governance discussions as an existing multilateral institution that could potentially play a role in international AI oversight, though its veto structure and geopolitical tensions present significant coordination challenges.

Metadata

Importance: 30/100homepage

Summary

The UN Security Council is the primary international body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with authority to impose sanctions, authorize military action, and establish peacekeeping operations. It serves as a key governance forum for addressing global threats, including emerging technology risks. Its decisions are binding on all UN member states.

Key Points

•Primary UN organ with binding authority over member states on matters of international peace and security
•Five permanent members (P5: US, UK, France, Russia, China) hold veto power over resolutions
•Increasingly relevant to AI governance discussions as nations debate international oversight mechanisms
•Has authority to create international regulatory bodies or frameworks that could apply to transformative technologies
•Represents existing multilateral coordination infrastructure that AI governance proposals may leverage or reform

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[Security Council](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en "Security Council")

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[Security Council](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en "Security Council")

# Peace and Security

The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote. Under the Charter of the United Nations, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Image

![Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States of America and President of the Security Council for the month of March, chairs the Security Council meeting on children, technology and education in conflict.](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/default/files/styles/9_col_xl_1026_x_auto/public/2026/USA_MIPS_Children_Technology_Conflict_2March2026_UN71132595.png?itok=MsiqV-B5)

## Security Council Programme of Work

Discover the Security Council's lineup of events scheduled for this month.

[Provisional Programme of Work](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/default/files/2026/monthly_pow2026-03.pdf "Provisional programme of work") [Go to Calendar](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/content/programme-work "Programme of Work")

## Upcoming Events in the Security Council

19 March 2026


[Consultations of the whole (closed)](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/meeting-type/consultations-whole-closed)

04:00 PM

Consultations Room

## More about the Security Council

#### SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENCY OF 2026

The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month, following the English alphabetical order of the Member States names.

Image

![Flag of Somalia](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/default/files/styles/flag/public/2025/Somalia_0.png?itok=RCtyK-xP)

**Somalia**

January

Image

![UK Flag](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/default/files/styles/flag/public/2024/UK.png?itok=ZqG2vopl)

**United Kingdom**

February

Image

![US Flag](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/default

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