United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is the branch of the United Nations whose pivotal responsibility is the maintenance of international peace and security. The United Nations Charter recognizes the Security Council as the only UN body able to establish international sanctions, peacekeeping operations and to authorize for collective military actions against aggressors. According to the UN Charter -while other UN organs make recommendations to Governments- the Council alone has the power to approve legally binding resolutions to which member states are obligated to adjust and carry out.
In accordance with Chapter V of the UN Charter, the basic structure of the SC is defined by two member groups: the permanent five members (China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members (elected by the General Assembly on a rotating basis and by regional proportionality). Permanent members have the power to veto SC Resolutions.
The Council may convene at any time, whenever peace is threatened. This feature is perhaps the most efficient crisis resolution medium at the disposal of the United Nations and represents an excellent opportunity to embark on discussions that may favor the spread of UN values across the globe.
- UN Security Council Official Website: www.un.org/Docs/sc/index.html
Topics:
Topic 1: The Situation in Zimbabwe
After two failed attempts at democratic elections the situation in Zimbabwe is worsening. The continued failure of negotiations between the parties and resulting political paralysis is distressing especially in light of the growing humanitarian crisis affecting the lives of millions. Although a unity government has been established it remains difficult to see coherent policies arising from it. To date many have died specifically due to the cholera outbreak that the international community has been prevented from assisting with. Even more remain threatened by hunger, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. The situation requires the immediate attention of the Security Council.
Topic 2: Evaluation of the Security Council?s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC)
The CTC was created in 2001 and revised in 2005. It is the United Nation?s highest-level terrorism-combating organization. The CTC operates as a committee of the Security Council by gathering information about individual countries? counter terrorism processes and standardizing these across member states. It is imperative that the Security Council evaluates whether the CTC has fulfilled its mandate as well as evaluate whether its continuation is most appropriate in these new era. All options available must be considered to assure the maintenance of international peace and security in this era of where none remains unthreatened by acts of terror.
Chairs:
- Tariq Tobias Omarshah, Zimbabwe - Jacobs University Bremen
- Sebastian Blümmert, Germany - Jacobs University Bremen
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