UN Resolutions are formal decisions or recommendations adopted by United Nations bodies to address international issues such as peace, security, human rights, conflicts, development, or sanctions. It is a written document voted on by member states that expresses the official position or decision of the UN on a particular issue.

These resolutions are mainly passed by bodies like the:

• United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
• United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

Resolutions under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 

• Security Council Resolutions are formal decisions adopted by the United Nations Security Council to address issues related to international peace and security.
• These resolutions are legally binding on all member states of the United Nations.
• These resolutions include imposing economic or diplomatic sanctions on countries, authorizing collective military action or intervention, and establishing peacekeeping missions in conflict-affected regions.

Process of Passing Resolutions under United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopts resolutions through a structured process.
• A member state first submits a draft resolution addressing an issue related to international peace and security.
• The draft is then discussed and negotiated among the 15 Council members to build consensus.
• For adoption, a resolution needs at least 9 affirmative votes and no veto from any of the five permanent members which are the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
• If any of them uses the veto power, the resolution fails.
• Once passed, UNSC resolutions are legally binding on all United Nations member states.

Resolutions under United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

• General Assembly Resolutions are formal decisions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Unlike resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding on member states.
• Instead, they function primarily as recommendations that reflect the collective opinion or political will of the international community on various global issues such as peace and security, human rights, development, and international cooperation.
• Although they do not carry the force of law, these resolutions often hold significant moral and political influence.

Process of Passing Resolutions under United Nation General Assembly (UNGA)

• In the United Nations General Assembly, any member state of the United Nations can propose a draft resolution.
• The draft is usually first discussed in one of the six main committees, where members debate and suggest amendments before sending it to the plenary session.
• In the plenary, all 193 member states vote. Most resolutions are adopted by a simple majority, while important matters such as peace and security, admission of new members, or budget issues require a two-thirds majority.
• Unlike the United Nations Security Council, there is no veto power, and each country has one equal vote.
• Although these resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant political and moral influence and help shape international norms and global policy discussions.

The recent adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 shows how resolutions of the United Nations are used to address urgent international crises. The resolution condemned Iran’s attacks on neighbouring Gulf states and called for an immediate halt to such actions, reflecting the role of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining international peace and security.