Peace and Security

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) works to deliver election materials and to deploy security personnel ahead of elections scheduled for 29 January 2017.
UN Photo/Logan Abassi

Peacekeepers saved many lives despite challenges, UN officials stress at year's end

29 December 2017

Despite a particularly deadly year for United Nations peacekeepers – with more than 60 'blue helmets' killed in hostile acts – the Organization in 2017 completed its peacekeeping objectives in Côte d'Ivoire, refocused its work in Haiti and will soon complete its mandate in Liberia.

UN peacekeepers patrol the PK5 neighbourhood of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Central African Republic’s message to UN: ‘The only thing we want is peace’

23 October 2017
Africa

It was once known as the ‘Bridge of Death,’ the frontline between warring factions in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR). Legendary tales were shared of the bridge being drenched in blood, with even Government security forces scared to set foot on it.

Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, addresses the Security Council debate on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

INTERVIEW: 'Disarmament matters' in times of crisis, stresses new High Representative

6 July 2017
Global

Izumi Nakamitsu has taken the helm of United Nations disarmament affairs at a time when needs are greatest for the world to invest in conflict prevention.

UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, meeting with officials in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.
Fardin Waezi/UNAMA

INTERVIEW: Afghans need to see their Government taking the reins – UN envoy

23 June 2017
Asia Pacific

Afghans need to see their Government taking the reins for security in the country, delivering much needed services and creating jobs, says the United Nations envoy to the country, Tadamichi Yamamoto.  

A member of the UN Police Unit during a patrol in the Malian city of Timbuktu.
MINUSMA/Harandane Dick

FEATURE: "We invest in peace"

23 May 2017
Global

More than 100,000 UN peacekeepers serving around the world will be honoured this month as the United Nations celebrates the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed annually on 29 May.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
MINUSMA/Sylvain Liechti

INTERVIEW: ‘Our peacekeepers are saving lives every day’ – new UN peacekeeping chief

22 May 2017
Global

With United Nations peace operations being carried out in highly complex environments and facing multiple challenges, Secretary-General António Guterres recently stressed the need to adapt peacekeeping to “our changing world.”

UNOCI officers conduct a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration operation with ex-combatants in the Abobo area of Abidjan in February 2012.
UN Photo/Hien Macline

FEATURE: Mission Accomplished – UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire

1 May 2017
Africa

After 13 years, the United Nations is completing the peacekeeping phase of its engagement with Côte d'Ivoire, after successfully assisting the country in restoring peace and stability following the post-2010 election crisis.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous speaks to journalists in Bamako, Mali, during his visit.
UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti

INTERVIEW: Fast-response ‘vanguard brigade’ of peacekeepers now a reality

4 April 2017
Global

A “vanguard brigade” of UN Peacekeepers which can be deployed within 60 days to new trouble-spots, would have been “impossible” to envisage just two years ago.

A UN peacekeeper helps a child aboard a truck during the relocation of residents of a camp for displaced persons.
Logan Abassi UN/MINUSTAH

INTERVIEW: Amid increased suffering, responsibility to protect all the more necessary - UN Special Adviser

24 March 2017
Global

In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the outcome of the World Summit in which it, inter alia, underscored that each individual State has the responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (second right) takes questions from journalists during a press conference prior to the Intra-Syrian negotiations, Geneva. 22 February 2017.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin

Syria negotiations may not yield breakthrough, but momentum needs to be maintained – UN envoy

22 February 2017
Middle East

A day before negotiations on the crisis in Syria kick off in Geneva, the United Nations Special Envoy for the war-torn country acknowledged that while he is “not expecting a breakthrough,” the proactive momentum needs to be sustained, and the top United Nations relief official told the Security Council that the country’s humanitarian needs would remain critical for a long time.