Article 99 of Chapter 15 of the United Nations Charter states that “The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion threatens international peace and security.”
According to the United Nations, this article calls for the attention of the Security Council to be brought to the attention of any matter ‘which in the opinion of the Secretary-General may threaten international peace and security.’
Researchers Albrecht Schnabel and David Cormett write that ‘Article 99’s inclusion in the UN Charter was a significant step in giving the Security Council the benefit of warnings about current or potential threats to peace so that the body would be appropriate. Or possibly take preventive action.’
According to him, Article 99 applies only to ‘new matters’, i.e. matters not already discussed by the Security Council.
He further writes ‘However, in reality the UN Secretary-General has interpreted Article 99 very broadly, allowing him to conduct independent fact-finding investigations and information to prevent any crisis. has provided the authority to collect.’