The United Kingdom is a founding member of the United Nations (founded in 1945) and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with the United States, Russia, China and France. As a permanent member it has the power of veto over Security Council resolutions and contributes troops to UN peacekeeping missions.
Further reading: an editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.
The UK is also a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), formed in 1949 as a defensive alliance against the Soviet Union. NATO members commit to mutual defence under Article 5: an attack on one is an attack on all.
You may be asked which year the UN was founded, how many permanent members of the Security Council there are (five), or what NATO's key principle is (collective defence).
Test yourself on this topic
These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.
Keep going
- Read the full study notes for What is the UK.
- Try a practice test on this chapter.
- Sit a full 24-question timed mock.
- Browse the complete library of topic explainers.
Related topic explainers
Hinduism in Britain
The faith of around one million UK residents, the festival of Diwali, and where British Hindus live.
Major UK Cities Outside London
Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and the country's other regional centres.
Islam in Britain
The UK's second-largest religion, where it is most concentrated, and how British Muslims practise their faith.
Buddhism in Britain
The faith of around a quarter of a million UK residents, Buddhist temples, and Wesak.