United Nations Security Council

Established by the UN Charter as one of the six main organs of the United Nations, the Security Council has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It may meet whenever such peace is threatened. The first meeting of the Security Council took place on January 17, 1946 in London. Since then, the Security Council has moved to New York, where it has permanent residence at the UN Headquarters. Representatives from all member countries must always be present in order to ensure the possibility for meeting at any time. UN Security Council