FORMING A NEW OPERATION

The Security Council determines the deployment of a new UN

peace operation.

Initial consultation
As a conflict develops, worsens, or approaches resolution, the UN is frequently involved in a number
of consultations to determine the best response by the international community. These consultations
would likely involve:
 All relevant United Nations actors
 The potential host government and the parties on the ground
 Member States, including States that might contribute troops and police to a peace operation
 Regional and other intergovernmental organizations
 Other relevant key external partners
During this initial phase the UN Secretary-General may request a strategic assessment to identify all
possible options for UN engagement.

Technical field assessment

As soon as security conditions permit, the Secretariat usually deploys a technical assessment
mission to the country or territory where the deployment of a UN peace operation is envisaged. The
assessment mission analyzes and assesses the overall security, political, military, humanitarian and
human rights situation on the ground, and its implications for a possible operation. Based on the
findings and recommendations of the assessment mission, the UN Secretary-General will issue a
report to the Security Council. This report will present options for the establishment of a peace
operation as appropriate including its size and resources. The report will also include financial
implications and statement of preliminary estimated costs.

Security Council resolution

If the Security Council determines that deploying a UN peace operation is the most appropriate step
to take, it will formally authorize this by adopting a resolution. The resolution sets out the operation’s
mandate and size, and details the tasks it will be responsible for performing. The budget and
resources are then subject to General Assembly approval.

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the United

Nations Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and
security.
It is for the Security Council to determine when and where a UN peace operation should be
deployed.
The Security Council responds to crises around the world on a case-by-case basis and it has a
range of options at its disposal. It takes many different factors into account when considering the
establishment of new peace operation, including:
 Whether there is a ceasefire in place and the parties have committed themselves to a peace
process intended to reach a political settlement;
 Whether a clear political goal exists and whether it can be reflected in the mandate;
 Whether a precise mandate for a UN operation can be formulated;
 Whether the safety and security of UN personnel can be reasonably ensured, including in
particular whether reasonable guarantees can be obtained from the main parties or factions
regarding the safety and security of UN personnel.
The Security Council establishes a peace operation by adopting a Security Council resolution. The
resolution sets out that mission’s mandate and size.
The Security Council monitors the work of UN peace operations on an ongoing basis, including
through periodic reports from the Secretary-General and by holding dedicated Security Council
sessions to discuss the work of specific operations.
The Security Council can vote to extend, amend or end mission mandates as it deems appropriate.
Under Article 25 of the Charter, all UN members agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the
Security Council. While other organs of the UN make recommendations to Member States, the
Council alone has the power to take decisions which Member States are obligated to implement.
Find out more about Security Council functions and powers, resolutions, statements, reports, rules of
procedure and other issues

The General Assembly plays a key role in the financing of peace

operations.
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United
Nations. Comprising all 193 Member States of the UN, it provides a unique forum for multilateral
discussion of international issues including peace and security.

Financing matters
While not normally directly involved in political decisions on establishing or terminating UN peace
operations, the General Assembly does play a key role in peace operation financing.
As all UN Member States share the costs of peacekeeping, the Assembly apportions these
expenses based on a special scale of assessments, taking into account the relative economic wealth
of Member States, with the permanent members of the Security Council required to pay a larger
share because of their special responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
The General Assembly, through its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) approves and
oversees the peacekeeping budget. This includes how specific field operations are funded and
equipped, based on detailed submissions provided to it by the UN Secretary-General.

Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations

The General Assembly monitors the performance of UN Peacekeeping through its Special
Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. It was established in 1965 to conduct a comprehensive
review of all issues relating to peacekeeping.  The Committee reports on its work to the General
Assembly through its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).

"Uniting for Peace" resolution

Under the UN Charter, however, the General Assembly cannot discuss and make recommendations
on peace and security matters which are at that time being addressed by the Security Council.
Despite the UN Charter's provision limiting the General Assembly's powers with regard to peace and
security matters, there may be cases when the Assembly can take action.
In accordance with the General Assembly's "Uniting for Peace" resolution of November 1950
[resolution 377 (V)], if the Security Council fails to act, owing to the negative vote of a permanent
member, then the General Assembly may act. This would happen in the case where there appears
to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression. The General Assembly can
consider the matter with a view to making recommendations to Members for collective measures to
maintain or restore international peace and security.
This resolution was invoked only once in UN peacekeeping history, when in 1956 the General
Assembly established the First UN Emergency Force (UNEF I) in the Middle East.

Appointment of senior officials

The Secretary-General normally appoints a Head of Mission (usually a Special Representative) to
direct the peacekeeping operation. The Head of Mission reports to the Under-Secretary-General for
Peace Operations at the UN Headquarters.
The Secretary-General also appoints a peace operation’s Force Commander and Police
Commissioner, and senior civilian staff. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and
the Department of Operational Support (DOS) are then responsible for staffing the civilian
components of a peace operation.

Planning 
In the meantime, the Head of Mission, DPO and DOS lead the planning for the political, military,
operational and support (i.e., logistics and administration) aspects of the peace operation. The
planning phase usually involves the establishment of a Headquarters-based joint working group or
integrated mission task force, with participation of all relevant UN departments, funds and
programmes.

Deployment
Deployment of an operation proceeds then as quickly as possible, taking into account the security
and political conditions on the ground. It often starts with an advance team to establish mission
headquarters and leads to a gradual build-up to encompass all components and regions, as required
by the mandate.

Who provides peacekeepers?

The UN has no standing army or police force of its own, and Member States are asked to contribute
military and police personnel required for each operation. Peacekeepers wear their countries’
uniform and are identified as UN peacekeepers only by a UN blue helmet or beret and a badge.
Civilian staff of peace operations are international civil servants, recruited and deployed by the UN
Secretariat.

Reporting to the Security Council

The Secretary-General will then provide regular reports to the Security Council on the
implementation of the mission mandate. The Security Council reviews these reports and briefings,
and renews and adjusts the mission mandate, as required, until the missions is completed or closed.