The UN Security Council veto is the power held exclusively by the council's five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, to single-handedly block any substantive resolution, regardless of how many other council members vote in favor.

A resolution on substantive matters requires at least nine of the council's fifteen members to vote in favor, but even with overwhelming support from the other members, a single 'no' vote from any permanent member is enough to stop the resolution entirely.

Five Countries, One Blocking Vote Each

Why This Power Was Built In From the Start

The veto power was deliberately built into the United Nations Charter when the organization was founded after World War II, largely to secure the participation of major world powers by guaranteeing none of them could be forced into action against their core interests.

The veto doesn't apply to procedural votes, only substantive resolutions, and permanent members can also choose to abstain rather than cast a formal veto, which allows a resolution to pass without that country's explicit vote of support while still declining to block it outright.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia β€” overview of the UN Security Council veto and its history
  2. United Nations β€” official information on Security Council voting procedures
  3. Council on Foreign Relations β€” policy analysis background on the veto's role in international relations

FAQ

Which countries hold veto power at the UN Security Council?

The five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Can a single veto block a resolution even with overwhelming support from other members?

Yes β€” a single 'no' vote from any permanent member is enough to stop a substantive resolution entirely, regardless of other votes.

Does the veto apply to all Security Council votes?

No β€” it only applies to substantive resolutions, not procedural votes, and members can also abstain rather than formally veto.

About the Author

We reference Wikipedia, United Nations, and Council on Foreign Relations to explain the background and current understanding of this topic.

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