The Security Council is the most important and effective organ of the UN. In this context describe:

(a) Composition of the Security Council.

(b) Veto power.

(c) Four of its functions.

(a) The Security Council consists of 15 members.

1. It has five permanent members —
   1. China
   2. France
   3. Russia
   4. Britain
   5. The United States of America
2. The regional representation of the ten non-permanent members is:
   
   • Afro-Asian countries — 5
   • Latin American countries — 2
   • West European and other countries — 2
   • East European countries — 1.
3. The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by a two-third majority for a term of two years.
4. A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
5. The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly, according to the English alphabetical listing of its member States.

(b) Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. The negative vote of a permanent member is called a veto. The Council is powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the *veto power.* However abstinence from voting does not amount to a negative vote or veto.

(c) Four functions of the Security Council related to maintaining world peace are as follows:

1. To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations
2. To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction and to take military action against an aggressor.
3. To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments.
4. To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression.