The UN Security Council has 15 members, and substantive decisions need nine votes including all five permanent members

Background

Hook: the General Assembly has been debating a Security Council veto cast by China and Russia on an Iran sanctions panel. Article 23 of the UN Charter says the Council consists of 15 Members. The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The General Assembly elects ten non-permanent members for two-year terms. Under Article 27 each member has one vote. Procedural matters need nine affirmative votes. All other matters need nine votes including the concurring votes of the permanent members, which is the basis of the veto.