What is the role of the UN Security Council in new memberships?

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The UN Security Council's Role in Admitting New Member States

The United Nations Security Council plays a critical initial role in the process of admitting new member states. The Council is responsible for assessing applications, and its approval is a prerequisite for any country to join the UN. This assessment involves a committee of the 15 Council members who first determine if an application meets the necessary requirements for membership.
Initial Assessment by a Committee

Upon receiving an application for membership, the UN Secretary-General forwards it to the Security Council. A dedicated committee, composed of all 15 members of the Security Council, undertakes the first stage of review. This committee's mandate is to scrutinize the application and ascertain whether the applicant nation fulfills all the stipulated criteria for UN membership.
Security Council Vote and Veto Power

Following the committee's assessment, the application can either be set aside or advanced for a formal vote within the Security Council itself. For an application to be approved at this stage, it requires a minimum of nine favourable votes. Crucially, none of the five permanent members—the United States, Russia, France, China, or Britain—can exercise their veto power against the application.
Progression to the General Assembly

If the Security Council successfully approves a membership request, the application then proceeds to the United Nations General Assembly for its consideration. This subsequent step requires a two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly for final approval. Therefore, a country cannot become a member of the United Nations without the endorsement of both the Security Council and the General Assembly.

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What is the role of the UN Security Council in new memberships?

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