Peacekeeping operations

The United Nations contribute to international peace and security by setting up peacekeeping operations. These operations are implemented by the Security Council under the command of the Secretary-General. Decisions on funding for peacekeeping operations are taken by the General Assemby.

Characteristics of a peacekeeping operation

Every peacekeeping operation is unique, but

• all peacekeeping operations are set up only with the consent of the parties to the conflict
• the parties are consulted about the countries which will contribute troops to the operation
• the operation must not interfere in the internal affairs of the host countries and must not favour any party against another
• the peacekeepers have no right of enforcement and the use of force is limited to self-defence as a last resort
• no operation can be established without a broad consensus within the international community. The Security Council gives the mandate of the operation
• the military personnel who serve in peacekeeping operations are provided by Member States on a voluntary basis
• all operations pass under the command of the Secretary-General
• all operations are set up to assist in controlling and solving international conflicts, or, to a greater extent, internal conflict with an international dimension.

How does a peacekeeping operation start?

Most operations are established and implemented by the Security Council - the UN organ with primary responsibility for peace and international security. The Council determines

1. the size of the operation
2. the aim
3. the time frames.

The troops serve under UN operational command, but the peacekeepers remain members of their respective armed forces as the United Nations does not have an army. Under the present structure, it can take considerable time for the actual forces to be authorized and reach their destination.

The Council may also authorize regional organizations to undertake peacekeeping tasks when it is not appropriate for the United Nations to be directly involved.

Current peacekeeping operations

Current Peacekeeping Operations by United Nations.

Past peacekeeping operations

Past UN Peacekeeping operations

Historical surveys will be found in several compilations and handbooks:

• Yearbook of the United Nations. Part one. Political and security questions. International Peace and Security. An annual overview of the activities of the UN peacekeeping activities, composition of the missions, references to reports and essential documentation.
• The blue helmets : a review of United Nations peace-keeping containing the main facts of 41 United Nations peace-keeping operations from 1948 through early 1996.
• Soldiers for peace. : fifty years of United Nations peacekeeping. Thirteen essays about the United Nations peacekeeping operations during 50 years.
• UN peacekeeping : 50 years, 1948-1998 A short introduction to and survey of the peacekeeping operations.
• United Nations peacekeeping, 1946-1967 : documents and commentary. Vol. I: The Middle East; vol. II: Asia; vol. III: Africa; vol. IV: Europe, 1946-1979. A detailed account of UN peacekeeping operations. Contains essential full text documents, references and biographical information.
• Folke Bernadottesamlingarna. Material about the participation of Sweden in international peacekeeping operations.

United Nations Peacekeeping Forces was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 1988.

• UN Charter in Swedish | in English
• UN System Chart
• Yearbook of the United Nations
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Swedish | in English
• Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
• Statue of the International Court of Justice