View source for Charter of the United Nations

{{Short description|1945 foundational treaty of the United Nations}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox Treaty
| name = Charter of the United Nations
| image = Uncharter.pdf
| border = yes
| caption = UN Charter
| type = 
| date_drafted = 14 August 1941
| date_signed = {{Start date|1945|06|26|df=y}}
| location_signed = [[San Francisco]], California, United States
| date_sealed = 
| date_effective = 24 October 1945
| condition_effective = [[Ratification]] by [[Nationalist Government|China]], [[Provisional Government of the French Republic|France]], the [[Soviet Union]], the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]] and by a majority of the other signatory states.
| date_expiration = 
| signatories = 
| parties = 193
| depositor = [[Federal government of the United States|The Government of the United States of America]]<ref>{{Cite web| title=United Nations Charter, Chapter XIX: Ratification and Signature |url=https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/chapter-19 |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=www.un.org |language=English}}</ref>
| language = 
| languages = [[Modern Standard Arabic|Arabic]], [[Standard Chinese|Chinese]], [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], [[Russian language|Russian]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
| wikisource = Charter of the United Nations
}}

[[File:United Nations Flags - cropped.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[United Nations Office at Geneva]] (Switzerland) is its second biggest centre after the [[UN headquarters]] in New York City.]]

The '''Charter of the United Nations''' ('''UN Charter''') is the foundational [[treaty]] of the [[United Nations]] (UN).<ref name="intro">{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/ |title=Introductory Note |publisher=United Nations Organization |access-date=9 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050509082013/http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/ |archive-date=9 May 2005 }}</ref> It establishes the purposes, governing structure, and overall framework of the [[United Nations System|UN System]], including its [[United Nations System#Principal organs|principal organs]]: the [[United Nations Secretariat|Secretariat]], the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]], the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]], the [[United Nations Economic and Social Council|Economic and Social Council]] (ECOSOC), the [[International Court of Justice]], and the [[United Nations Trusteeship Council|Trusteeship Council]].

The UN Charter mandates the United Nations and its member states to maintain international peace and security, uphold international law, achieve "higher standards of living" for their citizens, address "economic, social, health, and related problems", and promote "universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to [[race (human categorization)|race]], [[sex]], [[language]], or [[religion]]".<ref>{{cite web|first=Christopher N. J. |last=Roberts|date=June 2017|title=William H. Fitzpatrick's Editorials on Human Rights (1949)|url=http://www.geschichte-menschenrechte.de/schluesseltexte/william-h-fitzpatricks-editorials-on-human-rights-1949/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020422/http://www.geschichte-menschenrechte.de/schluesseltexte/william-h-fitzpatricks-editorials-on-human-rights-1949/|archive-date=7 November 2017|access-date=4 November 2017|work=Quellen zur Geschichte der Menschenrechte |trans-work=Sources on the History of Human Rights|publisher=Human Rights Working Group in the 20th Century|df=dmy-all}}</ref><!-- History Channel is not a reliable source, see [[WP:RS/P]] --> As a [[charter]] and [[Constitution|constituent treaty]], its rules and obligations are binding on all members and supersede those of other treaties.<ref name="intro" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Chapter XVI: Miscellaneous Provisions|url=https://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter16.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201193409/http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter16.shtml|archive-date=1 February 2013|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref>

During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]—[[Declaration by United Nations|formally known as the United Nations]]—agreed to [[Dumbarton Oaks Conference|establish a new postwar international organization]].<ref name=":1"/> Pursuant to this goal, the UN Charter was discussed, prepared, and drafted during the [[San Francisco Conference]] that began 25 April 1945, which involved most of the world's sovereign nations.<ref name=":2"/> Following two-thirds approval of each part, the final text was unanimously adopted by delegates and opened for signature on 26 June 1945;<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2015-08-26|title=1945: The San Francisco Conference|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1945-san-francisco-conference/|access-date=2019-10-20|publisher=United Nations Organization|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=United Nations Conference on International Organization Proceedings|url=https://www.hoover.org/library-archives/collections/united-nations-conference-international-organization-proceedings-1945|access-date=2019-10-20|website=Hoover Institution|language=en}}</ref> it was signed in [[San Francisco]], California, United States, by 50 of the 51 original member countries.<ref name=":0" /><ref group="Note">[[Provisional Government of National Unity|Poland's provisional government]], which was not represented at the conference, signed it two months later.</ref>

The Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945, following ratification by the [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the United Nations Security Council—[[Republic of China (1912–1949)|China]],<ref group="Note">Republic of China, after 1949 located in [[Taiwan]]; replaced on 25 October 1971 by the [[China|People's Republic of China]]</ref> [[Provisional Government of the French Republic|France]],<ref group="Note">Provisional Government; later replaced by the [[French Fourth Republic|Fourth Republic]] and then the [[French Fifth Republic|Fifth Republic]].</ref> the [[Soviet Union]],<ref group="Note">Replaced by the [[Russia|Russian Federation]] in 1991.</ref> the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]]—and a majority of the other signatories; this is considered the official starting date of the United Nations, with the first session of the General Assembly, representing all 51 initial members, opening in London the following January. The General Assembly formally recognized 24 October as [[United Nations Day]] in 1947, and declared it an official international holiday in 1971. With 193 parties, [[Member states of the United Nations#Current members|most countries]] have now ratified the Charter.

==Summary==
[[File:UN charter logo.png|thumb|Insignia appeared in the frontispiece of the charter, prototype of the current [[Flag of the United Nations|logo of the United Nations]].]]
The Charter consists of a ''[[Preamble to the United Nations Charter|preamble]]'' and 111 articles grouped into 19 chapters.<ref name=intro />

The '''[[Preamble to the United Nations Charter|preamble]]''' consists of two principal parts. The first part contains a general call for the maintenance of peace and international security and respect for human rights. The second part of the preamble is a declaration in a contractual style that the governments of the peoples of the United Nations have agreed to the Charter and it is the first international document regarding human rights.
* '''[[Chapter I of the United Nations Charter|Chapter I]]''' sets forth the purposes of the United Nations, including the important provisions of the maintenance of international [[peace]] and security.
* '''[[Chapter II of the United Nations Charter|Chapter II]]''' defines the criteria for membership in the United Nations.
* '''[[Chapter III of the United Nations Charter|Chapters III]]–[[Chapter XV of the United Nations Charter|XV]]''', the bulk of the document, describe the organs and institutions of the UN and their respective powers.
* '''[[Chapter XVI of the United Nations Charter|Chapters XVI]] and [[Chapter XVII of the United Nations Charter|Chapter XVII]]''' describe arrangements for integrating the UN with established [[international law]].
* '''[[Chapter XVIII of the United Nations Charter|Chapters XVIII]] and [[Chapter XIX of the United Nations Charter|Chapter XIX]]''' provide for [[Amendments to the United Nations Charter|amendment]] and [[ratification]] of the [[Charter]].

The following chapters deal with the [[enforcement]] powers of UN bodies:
* '''[[Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter|Chapter VI]]''' describes the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]]'s power to investigate and mediate [[:wikt:dispute|disputes]];
* '''[[Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter|Chapter VII]]''' describes the Security Council's power to authorize economic, diplomatic, and military sanctions, as well as the use of military force, to resolve disputes;
* '''[[Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter|Chapter VIII]]''' makes it possible for regional arrangements to maintain peace and security within their own region;
* '''[[Chapter IX of the United Nations Charter|Chapters IX]] and [[Chapter X of the United Nations Charter|Chapter X]]''' describe the UN's powers for economic and social cooperation, and the [[United Nations Economic and Social Council|Economic and Social Council]] that oversee these powers;
* '''[[Chapter XII of the United Nations Charter|Chapters XII]] and [[Chapter XIII of the United Nations Charter|Chapter XIII]]''' describe the [[Trusteeship Council]], which oversaw [[decolonization]];
* '''[[Chapter XIV of the United Nations Charter|Chapters XIV]] and [[Chapter XV of the United Nations Charter|Chapter XV]]''' establish the powers of, respectively, the [[International Court of Justice]] and the [[United Nations Secretariat]].
* '''Chapters XVI through Chapter XIX''' deal respectively with [[Chapter XVI of the United Nations Charter|XVI: miscellaneous provisions]], [[Chapter XVII of the United Nations Charter|XVII: transitional security arrangements]] related to [[World War II]], [[Chapter XVIII of the United Nations Charter|XVIII: the charter amendment process]], and [[Chapter XIX of the United Nations Charter|XIX: ratification of the charter]]

== History ==

=== Background ===
The principles and conceptual framework of the United Nations were formulated through a series of conferences during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. The [[Declaration of St James's Palace]], issued in London on 12 June 1941, was the first joint statement of the declared goals and principles of the Allies, and the first to express a vision for a postwar world order.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-08-25|title=1941: The Declaration of St. James' Palace|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1941-declaration-st-james-palace/index.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=www.un.org|language=en}}</ref> The Declaration called for the "willing cooperation of free peoples" so that "all may enjoy economic and social security".<ref>"St. James Agreement; June 12, 1941". ''[[Avalon Project]]''. [[Yale Law School]]. 2008.</ref>

Roughly two months later, the United States and the United Kingdom issued a joint, eight-point statement elaborating such goals, known as the [[Atlantic Charter]]. It set out (1) that these countries do not seek aggrandizement, (2) that no territorial changes be made against the wishes of the people, (2) the right to [[Self-determination|self-determination for all peoples]], (3) restoration of self-government to those deprived of it, (4) furtherance of access for all states to trade and raw materials "needed for their economic prosperity", (5) global cooperation to secure better economic and social conditions for the world, (6) the "destruction of the Nazi tyranny" and freedom from fear and want, (7) [[freedom of the seas]], and (8) "abandonment of the use of force" by disarming nations of "aggression" and establishing a wider Anglo-American world "security system" under mutual disarmament after the war.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UN Yearbook|url=https://www.unmultimedia.org/searchers/yearbook/page.jsp?volume=1946-47&bookpage=2|access-date=2020-09-17|website=www.unmultimedia.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://avalon.law.yale.edu/wwii/atlantic.asp|title=The Avalon Project : THE ATLANTIC CHARTER|website=avalon.law.yale.edu}}</ref> Many of these principles would inspire or form part of the UN Charter.

The following year, on 1 January 1942, representatives of thirty nations formally at war with the Axis powers—led by the [[Big Four in World War 2|"Big Four"]] powers of China, the Soviet Union, the U.K., and the U.S.—signed the [[Declaration by United Nations]], which formalized the anti-Axis alliance and reaffirmed the purposes and principles of the Atlantic Charter.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-08-26|title=1942: Declaration of The United Nations|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1942-declaration-united-nations/index.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=www.un.org|language=en}}</ref> The following day, representatives of twenty-two other nations added their signatures. The term "United Nations" became synonymous with the Allies for the duration of the war, and was considered the formal name under which they were fighting.<ref>The name "United Nations" for the World War II allies was suggested by President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] of the United States as an alternative to the name "Associated Powers". British Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] accepted it, noting that the phrase was used by [[Lord Byron]] in the poem ''[[Childe Harold's Pilgrimage]]'' (Stanza 35).</ref> The Declaration by United Nations formed the basis of the United Nations Charter;<ref>[[Townsend Hoopes|Hopes, Townsend]]; [[Douglas Brinkley]] (1997). ''FDR and the Creation of the U.N.'' [[New Haven, Connecticut]]: [[Yale University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-300-06930-3}}.</ref> virtually all nations that acceded to it would be invited to take part in the 1945 [[San Francisco Conference]] to discuss and prepare the Charter.<ref name=":2"/>

On 30 October 1943, the [[Declaration of the Four Nations]], one of the four [[Moscow Declarations]], was signed by the foreign ministers of the Big Four, calling for the establishment of a "general international organization, based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all peace-loving states, and open to membership by all such states, large and small, for the maintenance of international peace and security".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-08-26|title=1943: Moscow and Teheran Conferences|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1943-moscow-and-teheran-conferences/index.html|access-date=2020-09-18|website=www.un.org|language=en}}</ref><ref group="Note">Some sources, [https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1943-moscow-and-teheran-conferences/index.html such as the United Nations], refer to Declaration of the Four Nations as the "Moscow Declaration"</ref> This was the first formal announcement that a new international organization was being contemplated to replace the moribund [[League of Nations]].

Pursuant to the Moscow Declarations, from 21 August 1944 to 7 October 1944, the U.S. hosted the [[Dumbarton Oaks Conference]] to develop a blueprint for what would become the United Nations.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2015-08-26|title=1944–1945: Dumbarton Oaks and Yalta|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1944-1945-dumbarton-oaks-and-yalta/index.html|access-date=2020-09-18|website=www.un.org|language=en}}</ref> Many of the rules, principles, and provisions of the UN Charter were proposed during the conference, including the structure of the UN system; the creation of a "Security Council" to prevent future war and conflict; and the establishment of other "organs" of the organization, such as the General Assembly, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat.<ref name=":1" /> The conference was led by the [[Big Four Conference|Big Four]], with delegates from other nation participating in the consideration and formulation of these principles.<ref name=":1" /> At the [[Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920)|Paris peace conference]] in 1919, it was Prime Minister [[Jan Smuts]] of South Africa and [[Robert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood|Lord Cecil]] of the United Kingdom who came up with the structure of the League of Nations with the League being divided into a League Assembly consisting of all the member states and a League Council consisting of the great powers.{{sfn|Macmillan|2001|pp=90–92}} The same design that Smuts and Cecil had devised for the League of Nations was copied for the United Nations with a Security Council made up of the great powers and a General Assembly of the UN member states.{{sfn|Macmillan|2001|p=84}}

The subsequent [[Yalta Conference]] in February 1945 between the U.S., the U.K., and the Soviet Union resolved the lingering debate regarding the voting structure of the proposed Security Council, calling for a "Conference of United Nations" in San Francisco on 25 April 1945 to "prepare the charter of such an organization, along the lines proposed in the formal conversations of Dumbarton Oaks."<ref name=":1"/>

=== Drafting and adoption ===
[[File:United Nations Charter.jpg|thumb|Charter of the United Nations on display at UN Headquarters in New York.]]
{{Main|United Nations Conference on International Organization}}
The [[United Nations Conference on International Organization|San Francisco Conference]], formally the United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO), began as scheduled on 25 April 1945 with the goal of drafting a charter that would create a new international organization. The Big Four, which sponsored the event, invited all forty-six signatories to the Declaration by United Nations.<ref name=":2"/><ref group="Note">Poland, despite having signed the Declaration by United Nations, did not attend the conference because there was no consensus on the formation of the postwar Polish government. Therefore, a space was left blank for the Polish signature. The new Polish government was formed after the conference (28 June) and signed the United Nations Charter on 15 October, making Poland one of the founding countries of the United Nations.</ref> Conference delegates invited four more nations: the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Argentina and recently liberated Denmark.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2015-08-26|title=1945: The San Francisco Conference|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1945-san-francisco-conference/index.html|access-date=2020-09-18|website=www.un.org|language=en}}</ref>

The conference was perhaps the largest international gathering up to that point, with 850 delegates, along with advisers and organizers, for a total of 3,500 participants.<ref name=":2" /> An additional 2,500 representatives from media and various civil society groups were also in attendance. Plenary meetings involving all delegates were chaired on a rotational basis by the lead delegates of the Big Four. Several committees were formed to facilitate and address different aspects of the drafting process, with more than 400 meetings convened in the subsequent weeks.<ref name=":2" /> Following multiple reviews, debates, and revisions, a final full meeting was held on 25 June 1945 with the final proposed draft posed to attendees. Following unanimous approval, the Charter was signed by delegates the following day in [[Herbst_Theatre|Veterans' Memorial Hall]].

The [[United States Senate]], as part of the [[79th United States Congress]], ratified the Charter by a vote of 89{{endash}}2 on 28 July 1945.<ref>Carroll, Mitchell B. "Further Action on United Nations Charter." American Bar Association Journal, vol. 31, no. 9, 1945, pp. 457–58. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25715332. Accessed 4 July 2024.</ref><ref>Gillette, Guy M., et al. "UNITED NATIONS CHARTER REVIEW." Proceedings of the American Society of International Law at Its Annual Meeting (1921-1969), vol. 48, 1954, pp. 191–211. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25657319. Accessed 4 July 2024.</ref> By 24 October 1945, enough nations had ratified the Charter to officially bring the United Nations into existence.

== Provisions ==

===Preamble===
{{Main|Preamble to the United Nations Charter }}
[[File:UNITED NATIONS - PREAMBLE TO THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS - NARA - 515901.jpg|thumb|United States World War II poster containing the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations]]
The Preamble to the treaty reads as follows:<ref>
{{cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CTC/uncharter.pdf |title=Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice |access-date=17 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225202219/https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/ctc/uncharter.pdf |archive-date=25 February 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/preamble/index.html |title=Preamble |publisher=United Nations |access-date=17 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218024249/http://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/preamble/index.html |archive-date=18 February 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref>
{{quote|
'''WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED'''
* to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
* to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
* to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
* to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

'''AND FOR THESE ENDS'''
* to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and
* to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
* to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
* to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

'''HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS.'''
Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations.}}

[[File:"WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS" - NARA - 516086.jpg|thumb|right|World War II poster with the first line of the Preamble, "We the peoples of the United Nations"]]
Although the Preamble is an integral part of the Charter, it does not set out any of the rights or obligations of member states; its purpose is to serve as an interpretative guide for the provisions of the Charter through the highlighting of some of the core motives of the founders of the organization.<ref>Report of the Rapporteur of Commission I/1 UNICO VI, pp 446–7, Doc. 944 I/1/34(1).</ref>

===Chapter I: Purposes and Principles===

====Article 1====
The Purposes of the United Nations are<ref name=intro />
# To maintain international [[peace]] and security, to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
# To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of [[civil rights|equal rights]] and [[self-determination]] of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
# To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or [[international humanitarian law|humanitarian]] character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for [[fundamental freedoms]] for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
# To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

====Article 2====
The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in accordance with the following Principles:<ref name=intro />

# The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.
# All Members, in order to ensure, to all of them the rights and benefits resulting from membership, shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the present Charter.
# All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.
# All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
# All Members shall give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the present Charter and shall refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.
# The Organization shall ensure that states which are not Members of the United Nations act in accordance with these Principles so far as may be necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security.
# Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of [[Peace enforcement|enforcement measures]] under [[Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter]].<ref name=intro />

===Chapter II: Membership===
{{Main|Chapter II of the United Nations Charter}}
Chapter II of the United Nations Charter deals with membership of the United Nations organization

===Chapter III: Organs===
{{Main|Chapter III of the United Nations Charter}}
# There are established as principal organs of the United Nations: a General Assembly, a Security Council, an Economic and Social Council, a Trusteeship Council, an International Court of Justice, and a Secretariat.
# Such subsidiary organs as may be found necessary may be established in accordance with the present Charter.

===Chapter IV: The General Assembly===
{{Main|Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter V: The Security Council===
{{Main|Chapter V of the United Nations Charter}}
{{quote|
'''COMPOSITION'''

'''Article 23'''

# The Security Council shall consist of fifteen Members of the United Nations. The Republic of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America shall be permanent members of the Security Council. The General Assembly shall elect ten other Members of the United Nations to be non-permanent members of the Security Council, due regard being specially paid, in the first instance to the contribution of Members of the United Nations to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the Organization, and also to equitable geographical distribution.
# The non-permanent members of the Security Council shall be elected for a term of two years. In the first election of the non-permanent members after the increase of the membership of the Security Council from eleven to fifteen, two of the four additional members shall be chosen for a term of one year. A retiring member shall not be eligible for immediate re-election.
# Each member of the Security Council shall have one representative.

'''FUNCTIONS and POWERS'''

'''Article 24'''

# 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.
# In discharging these duties the Security Council shall act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. The specific powers granted to the Security Council for the discharge of these duties are laid down in Chapters VI, VII, VIII, and XII.
# The Security Council shall submit annual and, when necessary, special reports to the General Assembly for its consideration.

'''Article 25'''

The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter.

'''Article 26'''

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 armaments.

'''VOTING'''

'''Article 27'''

# Each member of the Security Council shall have one vote.
# Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members.
# Decisions of the Security Council on all other matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members; provided that, in decisions under Chapter VI, and under paragraph 3 of Article 52, a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting.

'''PROCEDURE'''

'''Article 28'''

# The Security Council shall be so organized as to be able to function continuously. Each member of the Security Council shall for this purpose be represented at all times at the seat of the Organization.
# The Security Council shall hold periodic meetings at which each of its members may, if it so desires, be represented by a member of the government or by some other specially designated representative.
# The Security Council may hold meetings at such places other than the seat of the Organization as in its judgment will best facilitate its work.

'''Article 29'''

The Security Council may establish as such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.

'''Article 30'''

The Security Council shall adopt its own rules of the procedure, including the method of selecting its president.

'''Article 31'''

Any Member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council may participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the Security Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that Member are specially affected.

'''Article 32'''

Any Member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council or any state which is not a Member of the United Nations, if it is a party to a dispute under consideration by the Security Council, shall be invited to participate, without vote, in the discussion relating to the dispute. The Security Council shall lay down such conditions as it deems just for the participation of a state which is not a Member of the United Nations.}}

===Chapter VI: Peaceful Settlement of Disputes===
{{Main|Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter VII: Action with respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression===
{{Main|Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter}}
Chapter VII includes the right to [[Self-defence in international law|self-defence]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/chapter-7|title=Chapter VII: Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression (Articles 39-51)|first=United|last=Nations|website=United Nations}}</ref>

===Chapter VIII: Regional Arrangements===
{{Main|Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter IX: International Economic and Social Co-operation===
{{Main|Chapter IX of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter X: The Economic and Social Council===
{{Main|Chapter X of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter XI: Declaration regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories===
{{Main|Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter XII: International Trusteeship System===
{{Main|Chapter XII of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter XIII: The Trusteeship Council===
{{Main|Chapter XIII of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter XIV: The International Court of Justice===
{{Main|Chapter XIV of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter XV: The Secretariat===
{{Main|Chapter XV of the United Nations Charter}}
* It comprises the Secretary-General and such other staff as the organization may require.
* It provides services to the other organs of the United Nations, such as the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the trusteeship council, as well as their subsidiary bodies.
* The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of security council.
* The staff of the secretariat is appointed by the Secretary-General according to the regulations laid down by the General Assembly.
* The secretariat is located at the headquarters of the U.N in [[New York City|New York]].
* The secretariat also includes the regional commission secretariat at [[Baghdad]], [[Bangkok]], [[Geneva]] and [[Santiago]].

====Functions of the Secretariat====
# preparation of report and other documents containing information, analysis, historical background research finding, policy suggestions and so forth, to facilitate deliberations and decision making by other organs.
# to facilitate legislative organs and their subsidiary bodies.
# provision of meeting services for the General Assembly and other organs
# provision of editorial, translation and document reproduction services for the issuance of UN documents in different language.
# conduct of studies and provision of information to various member states in meeting challenge in various fields
# preparation of statistical publication, information bulletin and analytical work which the General Assembly has decided
# organization of conferences experts group meetings and seminar on topics of concern to the international community
# provision of technical assistance to develop countries.
# understanding of service mission to countries, areas or location as authorized by the General Assembly or the security

===Chapter XVI: Miscellaneous Provisions===
{{Main|Chapter XVI of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter XVII: Transitional Security Arrangements===
{{Main|Chapter XVII of the United Nations Charter}}

===Chapter XVIII: Amendments===
{{Main|Chapter XVIII of the United Nations Charter}}
The General Assembly has the power to amend the UN Charter. Amendments adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Assembly need to be ratified by two-thirds of the Member-States, including all the Permanent Members of the Security Council.

===Chapter XIX: Ratification and Signature===
{{wikisource|Charter of the United Nations#Chapter XIX – Ratification and Signature}}
Provided that the Charter would enter into force once ratified by the Permanent Five members of the [[United Nations Security Council]] and a majority of the other signatory states, and set forth related procedures, such as providing certified copies to ratifying governments.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Politics}}
* [[Command responsibility]]
* [[History of United Nations peacekeeping]]
* [[Nuremberg Principles]]
* [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]
==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=Buhite |first1=Russell |title=Decisions at Yalta: An Appraisal of Summit Diplomacy |date=1986 |publisher= Rowman & Littlefield |location=Lanham |isbn= 0842022686}}
*{{cite book |last1=Macmillan |first1=Margaret |title=Paris 1919 Six Months That Changed the World |date=2001 |publisher=Random House |location=New York |isbn=9780307432964}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter Full Text on the UN Website]
* [http://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CTC/uncharter.pdf Scanned copy of the signed charter]
* [https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=I-1&chapter=1&clang=_en Original ratifications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727072247/http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=I-1&chapter=1&lang=en |date=27 July 2013 }}.
* [http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=I-2&chapter=1&lang=en Ratifications/admissions under Article IV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429192419/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=I-2&chapter=1&lang=en |date=29 April 2014 }}.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080525175652/http://www.peacekey.com/1-1-a/UN_Web/1_UN_Book/The_Fearful_Master_09.htm Alger Hiss recounts transporting the UN Charter after its signing.]
* [http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/cun/cun.html Procedural history note and audiovisual material] on the ''Charter of the United Nations'' in the [http://legal.un.org/avl/historicarchives.html Historic Archives of the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law]
* [http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,499d17822,459d17a82,3dda1f104,0.html Declaration of Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation Among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations]
* [http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Rosenboom_LT.html Lecture by Annebeth Rosenboom] entitled ''Practical Aspects of Treaty Law: Treaty Registration under Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations'' in the [https://web.archive.org/web/20061112205146/http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/ipresscom/ipress2005/ipresscom2005-23_20051107.htm Lecture Series of the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law]
* {{cite web |first=Christopher N. J. |last=Roberts |date=June 2017 |url=http://www.geschichte-menschenrechte.de/schluesseltexte/william-h-fitzpatricks-editorials-on-human-rights-1949/ |title=William H. Fitzpatrick's Editorials on Human Rights (1949) |publisher=Human Rights Working Group in the 20th Century |work=Quellen zur Geschichte der Menschenrechte [Sources on the History of Human Rights]}}

{{UN Charter|state=expanded}}
{{United Nations}}
{{UN Security Council}}
{{International Criminal Court}}
{{International criminal law}}
{{Portal bar|Politics}}

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