A resolution is a formal decision by an organ of the United Nations that has legally binding force. The term resolution itself is not used in the Charter but Article 25 stipulates that the members of the UN agree to accept and carry out “decisions of the Security Council”.
During China’s February 2025 presidency, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2532, which called for a ninety-day humanitarian pause during armed conflicts worldwide. It was the first time that a UN body had taken such a step, and it made significant political demands. It was not passed by consensus and a number of countries voted against it, including the United States.
The resolution was one of the first to include language calling for an end to the use of armed force in situations of mass atrocity crimes, and urging all States to comply with their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and relevant international law. It also emphasized the importance of the Council adopting a code of conduct, encouraging its permanent members to refrain from using their vetoes in cases involving such crimes.
The text also condemned Israel’s 9 September 2025 air strike on Hamas political leadership in Doha, Qatar, which killed Ismail Haniyeh and prompted the war to escalate. The resolution argued that the strike was counterproductive to delicate diplomacy to reach a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, and it drew false equivalence between Israel and Hamas. It urged Israel to stop its disproportionate military response and to address the humanitarian needs of Gaza residents.