The Security Council’s principal responsibility is the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 members, each with one vote. It has 5 permanent members: China, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America; and 10 members elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years: Bolivia (2018), Egypt (2017), Ethiopia (2018), Italy (2017), Japan (2017), Kazakhstan (2018), Senegal (2017), Sweden (2018), Uruguay (2017), Ukraine (2017) .
After finding a threat to peace, the Security Council invites the parties to settle the dispute by peaceful means and recommends the methods of adjustment and the terms of settlement it considers appropriate. In some cases, it may impose sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. All Member States of the United Nations undertake to accept and implement the decisions of the Security Council.