Belgium as a non-permanent member of the Security Council (2007-2008)
The Charter of the United Nations conferred upon the Security Council "the primarily responsibility for maintaining international peace and security".
The Security Council is made up of 15 members, including 5 permanent members—China, the United States, the Russian Federation, France and the United Kingdom—and 10 members elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years. For the period 2007–2008, Belgium had a seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
Is it because our country has often been a traditional battlefield for the great powers? In any case, Belgium has taken a particularly active role in the United Nations' efforts towards peace. This was the fifth time since 1947 that our country has held a seat on the Security Council, participating in a number of historic moments, such as in 1991 during the discussions on the various phases of the first Gulf War.
This responsibility is significant, with each member of the Security Council given one vote. Decisions on substantive issues are taken by an affirmative vote of nine members, which must include the five permanent members. This is the rule of 'great power unanimity', often called the 'veto' power. If a permanent member is opposed to a decision, it can exercise its veto.
Under the terms of the Charter, all members of the UN accept and apply the Council's decisions. While the other organs of the UN only make recommendations to governments, the Council is the only one that is able to make decisions that the members are obliged to apply.
