The Investigative Power of the United Nations Security Council

What is it about?

Originally seen as limited and auxiliary, the UN Security Council’s investigative power under Article 34 of the UN Charter has significantly evolved. While the Charter allows the Council to investigate only international disputes and only to assess whether they may threaten peace and security, practice over the last 80 years shows a shift toward a broader interpretation. Today, investigations serve not only to evaluate risks of escalation, but also to support conflict prevention, conciliation, and—when necessary—coercive measures under Chapter VII of the Charter. This expanded approach allows the Council to respond more flexibly to crises, even when threats are not yet fully realized. Investigations have become a key part of the Council’s toolkit, enabling it to act early, collect facts, engage with actors on the ground, and shape diplomatic or enforcement strategies. By adapting its use of Article 34, the Council has transformed what was once a modest power into a dynamic mechanism for both preventing and managing threats to international peace and security. This article explores how this shift has occurred and what it reveals about the Council’s evolving role in conflict response.

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