Uniting for Peace

➡️ THE UNITING FOR PEACE RESOLUTION - The UN Power to Resolve Stalemates for Global Security

The UN General Assembly's Uniting for Peace resolution was adopted in 1950 as an alternative path when the Security Council is deadlocked due to a lack of unanimity. It allows the General Assembly to act and intervene in the best interests of security and peace, even when it would otherwise be blocked.

The Uniting for Peace resolution has been utilised 13 times between 1951 and 2022. Emergency Special Sessions are then convened to facilitate prompt action, this mechanism can be used by both the General Assembly and the Security Council.

Jump straight to our resources on the ➡️ Uniting for Peace Resolution

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• The United Nations & Peacekeeping

• The 4D Charter

• The Need for UN Reform

• The Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Israel's War on Gaza

The idea of a Uniting for Peace resolution was initiated by the U.S. during a time of heightened political tensions when the Security Council was often paralysed by the veto power of its permanent members. Soviet vetoes regarding the Korean War made action by the UN impossible. This new resolution was a way of circumventing the USSR's protest against the UN's recognition of the Republic of China and its pursuit of its own political agenda.

This new resolution shifted dynamics and empowered the General Assembly to recommend actions in times of urgent international crises. The power of the veto was weakened, and the principle of collective security was given priority.

*****

When has the Uniting for Peace Resolution been Invoked?

The resolution has been invoked in several critical situations, the Suez Crisis in 1956 was one of the earliest and most significant examples. The conflict began after the Egyptian President at the time, Gamal Abdel Nasser, nationalised the British and French-owned Suez Canal Company. Joined by Israel, the three countries launched a military invasion of Egypt to regain control.

France and the United Kingdom both vetoed a Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire. Deadlocked, the General Assembly established the first United Nations Emergency Force. Under the Uniting for Peace resolution, the UN was able to end hostilities and oversee the withdrawal of invading forces.

Other examples:

• The Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956.

• The Lebanon crisis in 1958.

• During the India–Pakistan dispute over Bangladesh in 1971.

• South Africa's apartheid policy and the issue of Namibia in 1972.

• Regarding the crisis in Palestine in 1980.

• To address the situation in Afghanistan following the Soviet invasion in 1981.

• Regarding South Africa's occupation of Namibia, also in 1981.

• Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, which started in 1997 and has been in continuous session since.

• The conflict in the Middle East, which again started in 1997, continues to this day.

• The conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1993.

The United Nations Charter

The Charter of the United Nations is the founding document of the United Nations. It was signed on 26 June 1945 and mandates the UN and its member states to maintain global peace and security, uphold international law, promote higher standards of living for their citizens, address economic, social, and health concerns, and promote universal respect for human rights and our freedoms.

The UN Charter places the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security on the Security Council. The Uniting for Peace Resolution helps the council to reinforce the organisation's core mission and also enforces the General Assembly's role in discussing and making recommendations in the event of vetoes. The resolution complements the Charter by removing blockades to multilateral cooperation and collective security.

Limitations of the Uniting for Peace Resolution

One major critique is that the resolution's recommendations, unlike Security Council resolutions, are not legally binding on member states. Without legal authority, effectiveness and compliance can be limited.

The resolution also heavily relies on the will of the General Assembly, which is comprised of the diverse interests of all 193 member states. Critics argue that the resolution may overstep the bounds of the UN Charter and potentially blur the responsibilities of the Security Council and the General Assembly.

The Uniting for Peace resolution was invoked to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however, the non-binding resolutions had more symbolic than substantive value. The UN was effectively ignored by major powers that have the most influence within it (Russia and the U.S.) in the pursuit of their own interests.

The UN's effectiveness relies on the cooperation of its members and their respect for the core values, norms, and international rules set out in the UN Charter. The Secretary General must remain impartial when it comes to the permanent members of the Security Council, as they (Russia) have diplomatic, political, and financial holds over the United Nations.

Regarding Israel's war on Gaza and before the recent Gaza Peace Plan, the Security Council and General Assembly have voted multiple times on resolutions calling for ceasefires in Gaza. The U.S. blocked these resolutions with their veto powers six times, preventing an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Throughout history, the United States has, in fact, used its veto over 30 times to protect Israel against UN action. The General Assembly's inaction in the situation in Gaza is well noted by human rights and peace experts. Its original mission to maintain global peace and security and uphold international law has been left unmet. Although the Uniting for Peace resolution does not guarantee immediate impact, it at least upholds the UN's legacy and ensures that it remains a respected mechanism for upholding international law.

The Uniting for Peace resolution marks 75 years in 2025, and its contributions to peace and security have been invaluable. In these times of heightened political tensions, polarisation, and militarisation, it's time we start reviewing these mechanisms and putting them to use to counter obstructive power imbalances and nationalist interests that stand in the way of peace.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 22.10.25 licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

For further reading on the Uniting for Peace Resolution see below ⬇️