Which UN organ among the following has permanent members with veto power?

• A. General Assembly
• B. Security Council
• C. International Court of Justice
• D. Secretariat

Answer: (B)

Veto power is a distinctive feature of the UN Security Council. This organ is charged with maintaining international peace and security and includes five permanent members. Each permanent member can veto substantive resolutions, so a single opposing vote prevents action, reflecting the post-World War II power arrangement that gave major powers a decisive say in enforcement decisions. The other UN organs operate differently: the General Assembly has one vote per member and cannot veto, so it issues recommendations rather than binding actions. The International Court of Justice settles disputes but its authority rests on states’ consent and it does not wield a veto. The Secretariat handles the UN’s administration and has no veto power either.