The United Nations often appears in the news, especially during crises. Its two bodies are easy to confuse: the General Assembly and the Security Council.
The General Assembly
All member countries are represented here, and each has one vote. The Assembly discusses international issues, adopts resolutions and approves the organisation’s budget. Its resolutions carry political weight but are generally not binding.
The Security Council
The Council has five permanent members: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China, as well as ten non-permanent members elected for a set term. Only decisions of the Security Council can be legally binding, including sanctions and authorisation to use force.
The right of veto
Each of the permanent members can block the adoption of a decision with its vote against. That is why the Security Council often cannot agree on conflicts in which its permanent members are interested parties.
What this means in practice
If the General Assembly adopts a resolution, it is a signal from the world community. If binding action is needed, it is determined by the Security Council, where a veto can stop a decision.
There are also other UN bodies: the Secretariat, the International Court of Justice and specialised agencies such as the WHO.
