(VOVWORLD) -Whether or not veto power should be removed from the UN Security Council is a controversial issue following deadlocks of this powerful body in solving pressing world issues. This question was once again raised by the President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi during a meeting at UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
 A session of the UN General Assembly. (Photo: Reuters)
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Kőrösi said the veto issue affects the whole UN, calling on member states to put aside special interests, act responsibly for world peace, and work together to find a solution.
The UN Security Council, consisting of 10 non-permanent members and 5 permanent members, makes decisions affecting international peace and security. Those decisions of the Security Council are legally binding on all UN members, but can only be adopted if there are 9 votes in favor, and none of the 5 permanent members use their veto power.
The veto mechanism has led to a deadlock of the Security Council on many major issues. Many countries have requested a reform of the Security Council to limit the use of the veto power by the 5 permanent members.
So far, the US has used its veto power 80 times, followed by the UK with 30 vetos. China and France together have nearly 20 times vetoed Security Council resolutions. Russia has vetoed more than 120 Security Council resolutions.