The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) is dedicated to assisting the Member States and the Secretary-General in their efforts to maintain international peace and security.
The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to UN peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates.
Peacekeeping is political and its ultimate success depends on active and sustainable political processes or the real prospect of a peace process. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions.
DPO traces its roots to 1948 with the creation of the first UN peacekeeping operations: UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Up to the late 1980s, peacekeeping operations were operated through the UN Office of Special Political Affairs. The official DPO was formally created in 1992 as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) when Boutros Boutros-Ghali took office as Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) plays a central role in United Nations efforts to prevent and resolve conflict around the world. DPPA supports the Secretary-General’s peace initiatives, oversees mediation, political transition, and peacebuilding processes, and assists UN Member States as they carry out elections.
DPPA provides the Secretary-General and the UN system with a timely analysis of political developments around the world. It provides early warning of possible conflict and extends expertise and assistance to Member States and regional organizations, often working in partnerships.
The Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) within DPPA marshals international support for countries engaged in efforts to emerge from conflict and build sustainable peace.
The Department also provides support to the UN Security Council and two standing committees established by the General Assembly: on the rights of the Palestinian people and on decolonization.