The United Nations (UN) was created in 1945 to help countries work together for peace and cooperation. Today, different countries can influence the UN in several key ways:

1. General Assembly Power:

   • The General Assembly (GA) has all 193 member countries and is very important for making UN policies.
   • Each country gets one vote, which means everyone has an equal say.
   • In 2021, the GA passed 134 resolutions, showing the various interests of member countries.

2. Security Council Dynamics:

   • The Security Council (SC) consists of 15 members. Among them, 5 are permanent members: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. These permanent members can use something called veto power.
   • Veto power means these countries can block decisions they don’t like, which gives them a lot of control.
   • From 1946 to 2021, these countries used their veto power 293 times, showing how strong they are in decision-making.

3. Negotiations Between Countries:

   • Countries often talk to each other outside of formal meetings to come to agreements.
   • Groups like the Non-Aligned Movement, which has 120 member countries, help smaller nations have their voices heard in decisions that affect peace and security.

4. Funding and Resources:

   • The money countries give to the UN can change how decisions are made. In 2020, the United States contributed 22% of the regular budget, while China contributed 12%.
   • The level of funding can affect what the UN can do and which issues they focus on.

5. Public Opinion and Diplomacy:

   • Countries can also use what the public thinks to influence UN decisions. Campaigns on important issues, like climate change, show how public interest can shape what the UN prioritizes.

Through these methods, member countries help define what the UN does today, balancing power and interests in a way that affects the world.