Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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United Nations/Eskinder DebebeUN Security Council
The Security Council is the United Nations' most powerful body. It has "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security." Five powerful countries sit as "permanent members" along with ten other member states, elected for two-year terms. Since 1990, the Council has dramatically increased its activity and it now meets in nearly continuous session. It dispatches military operations, imposes economic sanctions, mandates arms inspections, deploys human rights and election monitors and more. The materials available here provide analysis and documents about the Council and the sharp debate about Council reform, as well as information about the NGO Working Group on the Security Council.
Towards a Democratic Reform of the UN Security Council (July 13, 2005)
Basic Information
This section provides information on the membership of the Security Council, including terminology, elections, presidencies, and the organization of Council committees, as well as profiles of ambassadors serving on the Council.How the Council Works
Each month, the Council establishes a Program of Work that includes a daily schedule of meetings. This page provides information on the methods of work and procedures of the Security Council. It also links to Council resolutions, Presidential statements and a glossary of Council meetings.Index of Countries on the Security Council Agenda
This index provides links to all pages on the site about countries and territories in crisis. Some of these pages are very extensive and cover major developments in UN peacekeeping operations and sanctions. Those dealing with current crises are updated frequently, while others pages concerning past crises remain on the site for historical interest.Security Council Reform
Though many states favor reform of the Council, change in this conservative body moves very slowly. The five permanent members prefer a status quo that favors them, with only cosmetic changes. This section assembles extensive information about Council reform, addressing issues of transparency and working methods, and membership expansion and representation.The Veto
The five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) enjoy the privilege of veto power. This power has been intensely controversial since the drafting of the UN Charter in 1945. This page analyzes the veto and provides data and a comprehensive list of all the vetoes cast and the subjects vetoed in the Security Council since 1945.NGOs and the Council
Security Council members began an active dialogue with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the late 1990's. This page explores NGO and Security Council interaction, as well as providing information on the NGO Working Group on the Security Council that meets regularly with Council Ambassadors.Sanctions
The UN Security Council imposes sanctions to enforce international law. This section highlights the debate on sanctions and includes many documents proposing ways to make sanctions more effective, better "targeted," and more humane.Peacekeeping
This section looks at the lessons from past UN peacekeeping experiences, the rise of regional peacekeeping operations, offers reform proposals, and discusses the role and future of peacekeeping operations.Dark Side of Natural Resources
Natural resources often lie at the heart of wars and civil strife. This page provides information on the role of natural resources in conflict; including specific information on oil, water, diamonds, and minerals, as well as key NGO reports on these issues.Small Arms and Light Weapons
Small arms and light weapons fuel civil wars, facilitate the use of children in armed conflict and cause harm to millions of people. This page looks at the role of small arms and light weapons in conflict, as well as UN efforts to block small arms flows.General Analysis
This page lists general issues and debates on the Council.Tables and Charts
Many original tables and charts on meetings, consultations, resolutions, presidential statements, vetoes, sanctions committees and peacekeeping.Resources on the Security Council
This page provides links to various organizations and websites on the UN Security Council and various aspects of its work.
