United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

LawCyber
Written By Emil Sorin BUCUR
 
 

Context & Themes

  • United Nations Peacekeeping Operations is guided by the principles of consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense or defense of the mandate.

  • The UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO) leads and manages field missions under the authority of the Security Council, while the UN Department of Operational Support (DOS) ensures logistics and personnel readiness.

  • Peacekeeping has evolved from traditional ceasefire monitoring to multidimensional missions, meaning that brings together military, police, and civilian personnel to implement Security Council mandates.

  • The five main functional pillars of UN Peacekeeping mandates are:

    • Protection of civilians

    • Support to political processes

    • Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR)

    • Facilitation of humanitarian assistance

    • Strengthening rule of law and state institutions

Insights & Impact

  • Military Advisers serving in the Permanent Missions of Member States to the United Nations play a key liaison and advisory role, as follows:

    • Representation and Liaison

    • Policy and Mandate Support

    • Coordination of National Contributions

    • Information and Analysis

    • Engagement in Multilateral Forums - working groups, C-34 (Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations) sessions, and Friends Groups to influence UN peacekeeping policy and doctrine.

  • C-34 - Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations

    • established by the UN General Assembly in 1965, conduct a comprehensive review of all issues related to UN peacekeeping operations

    • Review the implementation of peacekeeping mandates and reforms.

    • Provide policy guidance on operational, financial, and administrative aspects.

    • Serve as a forum for dialogue between Member States, the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), and the Department of Operational Support (DOS).

    • Produce an annual substantive report adopted by consensus in the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee.

  • UN PKO related events:

    • UN Peacekeeping Ministerial / High-level Dialogues and preparatory events (December 2023, 2025,)

    • International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (29 May)

    • Protection of Civilians Week (May - 2023, 2024, 2025)

    • Security Council Open Debate - UN Peacekeeping Operations

    • Peacekeeping Observatory Annual Workshop

Key Partners

  • UN Department of Peace Operations

  • UN Department of Operational Support

  • DPPA

  • OCHA

  • Member States Permanent Mission’s to the UN

Stakeholders

  • United Nations ecosystem

  • Member States

  • Non-Governmental Organizations

  • Business entities

Emil Sorin BUCUR