SC RES stands for Security Council Resolution. It refers to a decision or an official statement made by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on matters pertaining to international peace and security.
A SC RES carries significant weight and influence as it is legally binding upon all UN member states. The resolution is adopted through a voting process where at least nine of the fifteen members, including all five permanent members (United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, and France) of the UNSC, must agree and abstentions should not be made by any permanent member.
The purpose of a SC RES is to address various issues such as conflicts between states, threats to international peace, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, terrorism, humanitarian crises, and disputes related to territories. It outlines the council's position and recommends actions or measures to be taken by member states to address the issue.
SC RES typically contains several key elements, including a preamble providing context and justifications for the decisions made, operative clauses that specify the actions to be taken or requirements to be fulfilled, and the means of implementation or enforcement. It may recommend economic sanctions, diplomatic measures, arms embargoes, peacekeeping missions, or even authorize the use of force, including military intervention, in extreme cases.
SC RES acts as a legal framework that guides member states in their actions and helps maintain global peace and security by providing international legitimacy to decisions taken by the UNSC.
