国际英语新闻：Security Council Chamber undergoes makeover for UN renovation project

UNITED NATIONS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council Chamber, which has been the ears and eyes for nearly 60 years to the world's most powerful moments in international peace and security, is officially closed on Thursday for a two-year renovation project, the United Nations announced here.

"As of today, March 25, 2009, the Security Council Chamber and the Consultations Room are officially closed for renovations," the UN Department of Public Information said in its Thursday edition of the Journal of the United Nations, which announces programs for UN agencies at the UN Headquarters in New York.

File photo taken on Jan. 6, 2010 shows the UN Security Council holding an open meeting on the Afghanistan situation at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States. The United Nations Security Council Chamber, which has been the ears and eyes for nearly 60 years to the world's most powerful moments in international peace and security, is officially closed on March 25, 2010 for a two-year renovation project, the United Nations announced here Thursday March 25, 2010

Under the UN Charter, the 15-nation Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security in the world at large. The Security Council, which can adopt binding resolutions, is the most powerful one among various UN agencies.

The renovation of the chamber, in addition to the revamping of the Security Council's Consultations Room, is part of the overhaul of the iconic UN Secretariat Building, a project that will cost 1. 9 billion U.S. dollars.

During the renovation period, the temporary consultations room, which allows member states to discuss and facilitate plans away from the glare of the public in closed meetings, will be located in the basement of the United Nations General Assembly building.