Uphold International Law

Among the most wide-reaching achievements of the United Nations is its contribution to the development of, and respect for, international law. The UN has been at the forefront of efforts to establish a legal framework in such areas as maintaining international peace and security, facilitating international commerce, protecting the environment, regulating the oceans and seas, combating terrorism and prosecuting international crimes. The work is carried out in many ways - by courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security. These powers are given to it by the UN Charter, which is considered an international treaty. As such, it is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it.