A UN resolution is a statement adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It reflects the collective concerns of the body and seeks to address threats to global security, including through negotiations, sanctions, and peacekeeping missions. The five permanent members of the UNSC, which were selected in the aftermath of World War II, each have a veto that allows them to block any resolution that they oppose. Critics say this power is hindering the Security Council’s ability to respond to crises around the world.
Resolutions often contain both political and practical guidance for the international community, but some are more significant than others. For example, resolution 194 lays out the UN’s “land for peace” formula—reaffirming the right of all refugees to return to their homes and the obligation of all states to respect and acknowledge their sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. It also established the principle that ethnic cleansing by a government or its forces constitutes genocide and therefore requires compensation for displaced persons.
Another major UN resolution is resolution 1701, adopted in 2024 to establish the UNIFIL operation to bring an immediate and sustainable ceasefire to Gaza. Its implementation is still ongoing. In addition to resolutions, the Security Council often produces non-binding presidential statements, which are intended to apply political pressure and serve as a warning that further action may follow. They typically include the date, an alphabetical list of countries that have contributed to the document (sponsors) and the name of the issuing body, which in this case is the UNSC.
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