About UN Peacekeeping

What UN Peacekeeping Does

UN Peacekeeping supports countries in transitioning from conflict to peace. It brings together military, police, and civilian personnel from around the world to uphold mandates defined by the UN Security Council and General Assembly. Its strengths lie in global legitimacy, shared responsibility, and a proven ability to operate in some of the world’s most complex environments.

75 Years of Service and Sacrifice

Since its first mission in May 1948 — monitoring the truce between Israel and Arab states — UN Peacekeeping has deployed over 1 million men and women across 70+ operations. Today, more than 100,000 personnel from 125 countries serve in 14 active missions, making peace possible for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Blue Helmets operate under difficult and often dangerous conditions. Over 3,500 peacekeepers have lost their lives in service, including nearly 1,000 due to violence. Despite the risks, their dedication has made the UN a symbol of hope and stability around the globe.

Initially focused on monitoring ceasefires with small, male-dominated deployments, UN Peacekeeping has evolved dramatically. Today’s multidimensional operations support political transitions, protect civilians, disarm combatants, promote human rights, and help restore the rule of law. Civilians now make up about 14% of peacekeeping personnel, working across a wide range of areas including logistics, governance, human rights, elections, and communications.

Women peacekeepers are playing an increasingly vital role, serving in diverse capacities — from troops and pilots to commanders and civilian leaders — helping improve mission performance and build trust with local communities.

Core Principles of Peacekeeping

UN Peacekeeping is guided by three fundamental principles that ensure credibility, legitimacy, and effectiveness:

1. Consent of the Parties

Peacekeeping missions operate only with the consent of the main parties to the conflict. This ensures the UN has the political and physical space to carry out its mandate. However, consent may not always extend to local actors, particularly in fragmented or volatile settings with rogue armed groups. Without consent, peacekeepers risk being seen as combatants rather than neutral actors.

2. Impartiality

UN peacekeepers must treat all parties fairly, without bias — but impartiality does not mean inaction. Missions must hold all sides accountable to peace agreements and international norms. Peacekeeping operations must balance good relations with parties while maintaining credibility by acting decisively when those norms are violated.

3. Non-Use of Force (Except in Self-Defense and to Defend the Mandate)

Peacekeeping is not the same as enforcement. However, missions may use force at the tactical level — with Security Council authorization — to protect civilians, uphold the mission mandate, or defend themselves. Some missions have “robust” mandates authorizing the use of “all necessary means” in hostile environments.

This is distinct from peace enforcement, which does not require the consent of parties and may involve strategic-level combat operations. Peacekeeping uses force only as a last resort, with careful consideration for its impact on consent, safety, and mission legitimacy.

A Commitment to Discipline and Responsibility

UN peacekeepers are expected to strictly follow both UN rules and local regulations in their area of deployment. Discipline, respect for host communities, and adherence to mission standards are essential for safety, trust, and the successful execution of peace operations.