United Nations Membership: In Brief (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Dec. 12, 2024 |
| Report Number |
R48306 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Luisa Blanchfield; Matthew C. Weed |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Since the United Nations (UN) was established in 1945, U.S. policymakers, including some
Members of Congress, have maintained an ongoing interest in the criteria and process for
membership in the United Nations and its specialized agencies. The United Nations has 193
member states; the most recently admitted member was South Sudan in 2011. In April 2024, a
renewed Palestinian membership application was vetoed by the United States in the Security
Council (the Council).
Pursuant to the UN Charter, the first UN members included the original 51 contracting states that
either signed the UN Declaration in 1942, participated in the founding UN Conference in San
Francisco in 1945, or signed or ratified the UN Charter at its adoption in 1945. UN membership is
“open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present
Charter” and, in the judgment of the Organization, are “able and willing to carry out these
obligations.”
A state seeking membership submits an application to the UN Secretary-General accepting the
obligations under the Charter. The Secretary-General informs the UN Security Council, which
then considers the application and votes on whether to recommend admission of the state to the
UN General Assembly. Recommendation from the Security Council requires a minimum of nine
affirmative votes, with none of the five permanent Council members (“P-5”: China, France,
Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States) voting against recommendation.
Recommendation from the Council is then considered in the Assembly, which must vote in favor
of admission by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. Membership
applications that are not considered by the Council, or are not withdrawn by a member state, may
remain pending before the Council.
