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UN Permanent Security Council

The permanent members of the UN Security Council are the five states to which the 1945 UN Charter grants a permanent seat on the council. They are China, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), France, the UK, and the US.

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All Content on this topic

A mother holds her child at a medical treatment camp near the Sudan border

Sudan: UN Security Council demands end to Darfur city siege

Sudan has been devastated by conflict since fighting erupted between the army and a paramilitary force last year.
ConflictsJune 14, 2024
A May 10, 2024, meeting of the United Nations General Assembly for a vote on granting membership to Palestine

UN General Assembly approves Palestinian membership bid

The General Assembly has voted to grant "rights and privileges" to Palestine. The US says it will veto a membership bid.
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US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield (front C) and the UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward (front L) attend the United Nations Security Council meeting to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

UN Security Council demands Gaza cease-fire

The breakthrough came after the US abstained from the vote, after vetoing previous efforts over the last five months.
ConflictsMarch 25, 202402:15 min
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UN Security Council passes Gaza cease-fire resolution

The UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for an "immediate" cease-fire during Ramadan in Gaza.
PoliticsMarch 25, 2024
external

UNSC approves Gaza cease-fire resolution

ConflictsMarch 25, 202408:15 min
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks into a UN microphone in front of flags

Israel and the UN: A difficult relationship

Tensions in the relationship between the UN and Israel predate the current conflict in Gaza.
ConflictsMarch 22, 2024
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Chaos in Haiti: What's causing it, and can it be stopped?

The situation in the Caribbean state is deteriorating, with the roots of today's conflict dating to the distant past.
ConflictsMarch 12, 2024
Thousands who are fleeing the ongoing conflict between government forces and M-23 rebels reach the entrance the Democratic Republic of Congo eastern city of Goma Wednesday, February 7, 2024

DR Congo: UN Security Council sanctions 6 over violence

The sanctions follow escalation between the Congolese government and M23 rebels.
ConflictsFebruary 21, 2024
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres holds a stack of papers in his hands as he sits during a UN Security Council meeting.

UN Security Council passes watered-down Gaza resolution

A new Gaza resolution has been passed to boost crucial aid deliveries. Yet it does not call for an immediate cease-fire.
ConflictsDecember 23, 202301:56 min
A girl outside a makeshift shelter in Chad.

UN Security Council ends political mission in Sudan

As demanded by the Khartoum government, the UN put an end to its political mission in Sudan.
ConflictsDecember 2, 2023
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Debate at a UN Security Council over DPRK's satellite launch

The DPRK's ambassador, backed by China and Russia, asserts that its satellite was a defensive measure against the U.S.
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An Israeli officer shows a rifle that he says was discovered in a bag stored in a cabinet containing medical supplies at the al-Shifa hospital complex

Israel-Hamas war: UN Security Council urges pause in Gaza

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for urgent, extended "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza.
ConflictsNovember 16, 202302:06 min
Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen speaks during a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Israel rejects Gaza cease-fire at UN Security Council

Israel and its allies have rejected calls for a blanket cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
ConflictsOctober 25, 202302:09 min
Former police officer Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, leader of the 'G9' coalition, leads a march surrounded by his security in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

UN Security Council approves Haiti multinational force

The decision comes as the Caribbean country grapples with criminal gangs which have largely overrun the capital.
PoliticsOctober 3, 2023
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Does Africa get the attention and status it deserves on the global arena?
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Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaking at a podium discussion

UN Security Council: Should Germany be a permanent member?

Germany's bids to join the exclusive circle of permanent UN Security Council members have always failed.
PoliticsSeptember 17, 2023
A combine harvests wheat in a field in the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine

UN Security Council: Food insecurity tops agenda

Food insecurity takes center stage at the UN Security Council as a looming crisis threatens vulnerable populations.
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Nord Stream investigators find traces of explosives on yacht

The update was sent to the UN Security Council ahead of a meeting called by Russia, who has been critical of the probe.
ConflictsJuly 12, 2023
A loaded semi tractor-trailer at the Bab al-Hawa crossing between Turkey and Syria

UN Security Council: Russia vetoes Syria humanitarian aid

The situation arose when Russia vetoed a nine-month extension, leaving four million Syrians without aid.
ConflictsJuly 11, 2023
Ivorian soldiers of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA

Mali's MINUSMA peacekeeping mission: A foreseeable disaster

The UN Security Council has decided to withdraw all MINUSMA peacekeepers from Mali. What are the consequences?
PoliticsJuly 4, 2023
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Can the WHO interfere in state affairs? Four false claims on the World Health Organization's pandemic response treaty.
PoliticsJune 25, 2023
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The Flip Side of the UN Security Council structure

There are growing calls for reforms at the UN Security Council including granting Africa a permanent seat.
PoliticsJune 23, 202303:09 min
A general view shows a United Nations security council meeting

South Korea hopes to win UN Security Council seat

The bid for a UN Security Council seat is expected to face resistance from Pyongyang's allies, notably China and Russia.
PoliticsJune 6, 2023
Russian foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the meeting of the UN Security Council

Fact check: What to make of Lavrov's claims at the UN?

At the UN Security Council, Russia's Sergey Lavrov repeated Moscow's false accusations against the US, NATO and Ukraine.
PoliticsApril 25, 2023
UN Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York

Ukraine updates: Russia takes UN Security Council presidency

Moscow will hold the UN Security Council's rotating presidency for the month of April. DW has the latest.
PoliticsApril 1, 2023
A Uruguayan soldier of the United Nations' Stabilization Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) is pictured at the Uruguayan base in Goma.

UN Security Council demands disarmament of DR Congo militias

The eastern region of DR Congo is rife with dozens of rebel groups with conflicting goals and interests.
PoliticsMarch 30, 2023
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South Africa is reluctant to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They're hosting a joint maritime drills with Moscow.
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This aerial view shows trucks from a United Nations aid convoy entering Syria through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, carrying basic vital necessities for the inhabitants of the northwestern rebel-held areas on the country, on July 28, 2022, after the decision to extend the "authorisation mechanism" across the border

UN renews cross-border Syria aid with Russia backing

The mechanism to Syria will remain in place for another six months after a unanimous vote at the UN Security Council.
PoliticsJanuary 9, 2023
Afghan students stand in front of Kabul University

UN urges Taliban to reverse restrictions against women

The Taliban has barred women from working in NGOs and attending universities.
Human RightsDecember 28, 2022
A protester holds an image of Aung San Suu Kyi outside the United Nations building in Bangkok on February 3, 2021, during a demonstration against the military coup in Myanmar which saw civilian leader Suu Kyi being detained.

UN Security Council demands end to Myanmar violence

China, Russia and India abstained from the vote on the resolution condemning the violence in Myanmar.
ConflictsDecember 22, 2022
Conglose soldiers armed with automatic rifles on the back of a truck patrolling the eastern DRC

UN eases DR Congo arms embargo

The Congolese government wants to speed up the procurement of weapons to help it fight rebel groups in the east.
ConflictsDecember 21, 2022
Kim Jong Un smiles

North Korea slams UN response to suspected ICBM launch

North Korea has called Antonio Guterres a "US puppet" after the UN chief condemned a recent ICBM test by Pyongyang.
PoliticsNovember 21, 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) with Congolese President Felic Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame

Africa seeks a greater role on the global stage

More African leaders are calling for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
PoliticsSeptember 28, 2022
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Renewed calls for Africa's seat in the UNSC
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A local election commission member seals mobile ballot boxes at a polling station during a referendum on joining Russia in the Donetsk People's Republic

Russia-staged 'referendums' start in seized Ukrainian areas

Ukraine and the West have described the Moscow-organized vote as a "sham." DW has the latest.
ConflictsSeptember 23, 2022
US Secretary of State Blinken addresses the UN Security Council

US says Russia 'shredding' global order

The US' top diplomat Antony Blinken told UN Security Council members they should not let Putin "get away with it."
ConflictsSeptember 22, 2022
Ukrainian refugees flee fighting in Mariupol in April 2022

US accuses Moscow of deporting Ukrainians to Russia

The US says Russia has deported up to 1.6 million non-combatant Ukrainians in a "filtration" operation.
PoliticsSeptember 8, 2022
A news program reports on North Korea's missile launch

Why is N. Korea tightening ties with Russia?

Shunned by the international community, Moscow and Pyongyang see benefits in collaborating on laborers and trade.
PoliticsAugust 22, 2022
Taliban delegates meet with U.S. and European delegates in Doha, Qatar

UN ends Taliban travel ban exemptions

Thirteen Taliban leaders were permitted to travel despite sanctions so they could meet foreign officials abroad.
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UN aid boxes and bags are seen in a camp northwest of Aleppo

Security Council extends Syria aid deliveries

After a deadlock, the UN Security Council is extending the program — but only for six months, as demanded by Moscow.
ConflictsJuly 12, 2022
A truck crossing into Syria at the Bab al-Hawa border crossing

UN powers bicker, fail to extend Syria aid deliveries

Both the US and Russia said they wanted to extend a Syria aid scheme, but no resolution passed the UN Security Council.
ConflictsJuly 8, 2022
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.
PoliticsJune 27, 2022
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.
ConflictsMay 28, 2022
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.
PoliticsMay 27, 2022
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.
PoliticsApril 26, 2022
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.
PoliticsApril 16, 2022
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ConflictsApril 4, 202218:36 min
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.
PoliticsMarch 26, 2022
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.
Human RightsMarch 16, 2022
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.
PoliticsMarch 8, 2022