P5 (Permanent Five)

The P5, or Permanent Five, refers to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. These countries hold special status because they have the power to veto any substantive resolution, meaning they can prevent it from becoming law even if other members agree. This privilege was established after World War II to ensure that these major powers could maintain influence over global peace and security issues. Their veto power makes the P5 a central, powerful group within the UN structure.