General assembly: The UN’s parliament, at which every country has an equal vote. Oversees major UN agencies like UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP). Resolutions are not binding on members.

Security council: The real powerhouse, made up of five permanent members (US, Britain, France, China and Russia), each with veto power, and 10 non-permanent members nominated by the General Assembly. Can impose sanctions, authorize peacekeeping missions and enforce decisions ‘by any means necessary’.