United Nations Security Council

1. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action. Its powers are exercised through United Nations
2. The Security Council held its first session on 17 January 1946 at Church House, London.
   
3. There are 15 members of the Security Council, consisting of 5 veto-wielding permanent members and 10 elected non-permanent members with two-year terms.
   
4. Security Council members must always be present at UN headquarters in New York so that the Security Council can meet at any time.
5. The Security Council's five permanent members have the power to veto any substantive resolution: * China * France * Russia * United Kingdom * United States The five permanent members (also known as the P5 or Big 5) were drawn from the victorious powers of World War II. The five permanent members of the Security Council are also the only countries recognized as nuclear-weapon states (NWS) under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.( Since they tested nuclear weapon before 1967)
6. For the 2-year term which begins on the first day of 2011, India has been elected with a record vote of 187 out of 192 countries voting. The other elected non-permanent members for this 2-year period will be South Africa, Colombia, Germany and Portugal.