How a nation joins the United Nations

Becoming a recognised country is one of the hardest things in world politics. Here's how it really works — and what your petition needs to prove.

First: the four tests of statehood

Under the Montevideo Convention, a place usually needs all four of these to count as a state:

1. A permanent population

People who live there and see themselves as one nation.

2. A defined territory

Land with reasonably clear borders.

3. A government

An authority that can actually run the place.

4. Capacity for relations

The ability to deal and make deals with other states.

Then: the road to a UN seat

1. A state applies

The government of the would-be state writes to the UN Secretary-General, formally applying for membership and promising to accept the duties of the UN Charter.

2. The Security Council recommends

The 15-member Security Council reviews the application. At least 9 must vote yes — and none of the 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, the USA) may veto it.

3. The General Assembly votes

If the Security Council recommends the applicant, the General Assembly of all member states votes. A two-thirds majority is needed to admit the new member.

4. The flag is raised

The new member takes its seat, and its flag joins the others outside UN headquarters in New York. There are currently 193 member states.

Why is it so hard?

Politics. Existing countries rarely want to lose territory, and any one of the five permanent Security Council members can veto a new applicant. That's why places like Somaliland and Taiwan work like real countries yet still have no UN seat. Your petition has to make the case so strong that the world can't easily say no.

Words you'll need

Sovereignty — A country's right to govern itself without outside control.

Statehood — Officially counting as a country under international law.

Recognition — When other countries (or the UN) accept that you are a state.

Self-determination — The right of a people to choose their own government and future.

Territory — The land (and waters) that a country controls.

Secession — When a region breaks away from a larger country to form its own.

Diplomacy — The work of building relationships and making deals between countries.

Treaty — A formal written agreement between countries.

Indigenous — Belonging to the people who have lived in a place since long before others arrived.

Diaspora — People from one nation who now live scattered around the world.

UNPO — The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization — a group for nations without a UN seat.

Autonomy — Running your own local affairs while still being part of a bigger country.

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