What is the United Nations Military Staff Committee?

The Military Staff Committee is unique as a United Nations Security Council subsidiary body in that its role is defined by the United Nations Charter, rather than under the provisions of Article 29.

The Mandate

The role of the Committee is “to advise and assist the Security Council on all questions relating to the Security Council’s military requirements for the maintenance of international peace and security, the employment and command of forces placed at its disposal, the regulation of armaments, and possible disarmament.”

Having met since the Committee’s inaugural meeting in London on 4 February 1946, the Military Staff Committee is the longest standing subsidiary body of the Security Council.