A UN resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of a body within the United Nations. They follow a common, relatively strict format. They are written in a collaborative process, and the final version is often a long, winding document that requires many drafts before it is approved or rejected.
The Charter of the United Nations confers upon the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and entrusts it with the task of acting promptly and effectively in this regard. The Charter stipulates that the Security Council shall consist of eleven members elected by the General Assembly, of whom the Republic of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States of America are permanent members, and six other non-permanent members. The Charter provides that the Security Council should be balanced in terms of regional representation and gender.
The veto is a powerful tool allowing Member States to block any decision by the Security Council. This mechanism emerged during World War II, as leaders sought to establish a new international order that could prevent future wars. The veto was ultimately incorporated into the Charter after negotiations at the 1944 Dumbarton Oaks Conference and 1945 Yalta Conference. Critics of the veto argue that it fuels deadlock and protects the geopolitical interests of major power holders at the expense of global security. However, supporters argue that the veto is necessary to maintain international stability and avoid dangerous confrontations.