Explainer Series
Indo-Pacific Explainer:
The United Nations Security Council
Read the explainer
↗ The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the global body charged with maintaining international peace and security. It was established as part of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, as the international community sought to avoid future global conflicts like the one it had just experienced during World War Two.
Six administrative bodies make up the United Nations: the UNSC, along with the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretariat, the International Court of Justice, the UN Economic and Social Council, and the UN Trusteeship Council. Of all these bodies, only the UNSC can issue resolutions that are binding upon member states.
Explore more on this topic
Australia’s relationships with African countries have long been modest, with its security and economic interests heavily weighted towards the Indo-Pacific.
But Australia’s Indo-Pacific interests are increasingly intersecting with developments in Africa. China and Russia are gaining increasing influence across the continent, including in security, mining, and media. And as both those countries challenge global rules and norms, Africa’s buy-in to the international system is on the wane.
With Australia set to run for a seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2029-30, its relationships with the countries of Africa will matter more than they ever have. This report unpacks the key trends and developments in this complex region, and what it means for Australia.
