Powers and Functions of the

Security Council
• to maintain international peace and security
in accordance with the principles and
purposes of the United Nations
• Article 24, par.1, UN Charter
In order to ensure prompt and effective action
by the United Nations, its Members confer on
the Security Council primary responsibility for
the maintenance of international peace and
security, and agree that in carrying out its
duties under this responsibility the Security
Council acts on their behalf.
• to investigate any dispute or situation which
might lead to international friction
• Article 34, UN Charter
The Security Council may investigate any
dispute, or any situation which might lead to
international friction or give rise to a dispute,
in order to determine whether the
continuance of the dispute or situation is
likely to endanger the maintenance of
international peace and security.
• to recommend methods of adjusting such
disputes or the terms of settlement
• Article 38, UN Charter
Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles
33 to 37, the Security Council may, if all the
parties to any dispute so request, make
recommendations to the parties with a view
to a pacific settlement of the dispute.
• to formulate plans for the establishment of a
system to regulate armaments
• Article 26, UN Charter
In order to promote the establishment and maintenance
of international peace and security with the least
diversion for armaments of the world's human and
economic resources, the Security Council shall be
responsible for formulating, with the assistance of the
Military Staff Committee referred to in Article 47,
plans to be submitted to the Members of the United
Nations for the establishment of a system for the
regulation of armament.
• to determine the existence of a threat to the
peace or act of aggression and to recommend
what action should be taken
• Article 39, UN Charter
The Security Council shall determine the
existence of any threat to the peace, breach of
the peace, or act of aggression and shall make
recommendations, or decide what measures
shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41
and 42, to maintain or restore international
peace and security.
• to call on Members to apply economic sanctions
and other measures not involving the use of force
to prevent or stop aggression
• Article 41, UN Charter
The Security Council may decide what measures not
involving the use of armed force are to be employed
to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon
the Members of the United Nations to apply such
measures. These may include complete or partial
interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea,
air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of
communication, and the severance of diplomatic
relations.
• to take military action against an aggressor
• Article 42, UN Charter
Should the Security Council consider that
measures provided for in Article 41 would be
inadequate or have proved to be inadequate,
it may take such action by air, sea, or land
forces as may be necessary to maintain or
restore international peace and security. Such
action may include demonstrations, blockade,
and other operations by air, sea, or land
forces of Members of the United Nations.
• to recommend the admission of new
Members
• Article 4, par. 2, UN Charter
The admission of any such state to membership
in the United Nations will be effected by a
decision of the General Assembly upon the
recommendation of the Security Council.
• to exercise the trusteeship functions of the
United Nations in “strategic areas”
• Article 83, par. 1, UN Charter
All functions of the United Nations relating to
strategic areas, including the approval of the
terms of the trusteeship agreements and of
their alteration or amendment shall be
exercised by the Security Council.
• to recommend to the General Assembly the
appointment of the Secretary-General 
• Article 97, UN Charter
• The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-
General and such staff as the Organization
may require. The Secretary-General shall be
appointed by the General Assembly upon the
recommendation of the Security Council. He
shall be the chief administrative officer of the
Organization.
• together with the Assembly, to elect the
Judges of the International Court of Justice
• Article 4, par. 1 Statute of ICJ
The members of the Court shall be elected by
the General Assembly and by the Security
Council from a list of persons nominated by
the national groups in the Permanent Court of
Arbitration, in accordance with the following
provisions.