Coalition formation in international organizations plays a crucial role in global governance. Our article uses new data on the (co-)sponsorship of United Nations Security Council (unsc) resolutions, classified into member categories, offering fresh insights into the operations of this core institution in the pursuit of global peace and security. Analyzing draft resolution sponsorship to map behaviors and alignments within the Security Council for 2009 to 2023, our findings show that the P5—and notably the P3—continue to play a prominent role, particularly due to their ability to draft resolutions and lead negotiations, a practice known as ‘penholdership’. In contrast, next to the P2, the E10 members remain influential within the unsc especially through their capacity to co-sponsor resolutions and form coalitions with other Security Council members, to influence negotiations and decision-making in this institution.
