Leading Within United Nations Peace Operations › course_promos › leading › ...Course Author Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired) Series Editor Harvey J. Langholtz,

Course Author

Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired)

Series Editor

Harvey J. Langholtz, Ph.D.

Leading Within United Nations Peace Operations

Course Author

Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired)

Series Editor

Harvey J. Langholtz, Ph.D.


Cover Photo: UN Photo #626270 by Marco

Dormino. Brigadier General Christian Thiebault

(right), Force Chief of Staff for the United Nations

Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission

in Mali (MINUSMA), looks at a map along with

two officers from the Niger Battalion during a

military operation in Ansongo, in eastern Mali. 25

February 2015.

© 2018 Peace Operations Training Institute. All rights reserved.

Peace Operations Training Institute 1309 Jamestown Road, Suite 202 Williamsburg, VA 23185 USA www.peaceopstraining.org

First edition: 1997 by Captain Jean Michel Faure Second edition: 2004 by Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired) Third edition: 2012 by Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired) Fourth edition: 2018 by Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired)

The material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the views of the Peace Operations Training Institute (POTI), the Course Author(s), or any United Nations organs or affiliated organizations. The Peace Operations Training Institute is an international not-for-profit NGO registered as a 501(c)(3) with the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America. The Peace Operations Training Institute is a separate legal entity from the United Nations. Although every effort has been made to verify the contents of this course, the Peace Operations Training Institute and the Course Author(s) disclaim any and all responsibility for facts and opinions contained in the text, which have been assimilated largely from open media and other independent sources. This course was written to be a pedagogical and teaching document, consistent with existing UN policy and doctrine, but this course does not establish or promulgate doctrine. Only officially vetted and approved UN documents may establish or promulgate UN policy or doctrine. Information with diametrically opposing views is sometimes provided on given topics, in order to stimulate scholarly interest, and is in keeping with the norms of pure and free academic pursuit.

Versions of this course offered in other languages may differ slightly from the primary English master copy. Translators make every effort to retain the integrity of the material.

v

PEACE OPERATIONS TRAINING INSTITUTE

Table of Contents


Foreword x

Method of Study xi

Lesson 1 The United Nations Framework 12

Section 1.1 Foundations and Nature of the United Nations System 13

Section 1.2 Working Organization of the United Nations 16

Section 1.3 UN Organs and Agencies 18

Section 1.4 Financing the United Nations 25

Section 1.5 Continual UN Reform 26

Lesson 2 Development of UN Peace Operations 30

Section 2.1 UN Missions in the Field 31

Section 2.2 Peace Operations and the Charter of the United Nations 32

Section 2.3 Initiation of UN Peace Operations 35

Section 2.4 Defining UN Peace Operations 36

Section 2.5 UN Peacebuilding and Political Missions 37

Section 2.6 UN Peace Operations 37

Section 2.7 Status of Forces 39

LeADING WITHIN UNITeD NATIONS PeACe OPeRATIONS


vI

Section 2.8 Agreements between the UN and Member States on Contributions 40

Section 2.9 Guidelines for Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries 41

Annex I: Recent Security Council Resolutions 42

Annex II: Model SOFA – A/45/594 48

Annex III: Status of Mission Agreement – UNSOM 62

Lesson 3 UN Strategic Planning and Preparation 82

Section 3.1 The UN Peace and Security Architecture: the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) 83

Section 3.2 The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) 85

Section 3.3 UN Peace Operations Doctrine 85

Section 3.4 UN Planning Process 87

Section 3.5 Strategic Assessment 88

Section 3.6 Components in a Peace Operation 91

Section 3.7 UN Training Guidance 94

Section 3.8 Development of Mission ROe and Directives on the Use of Force 94

Section 3.9 Obtaining Military and Police Capability 95

Lesson 4 Regional Organization, Member State, and National Issues 100

Section 4.1 Relationships Between the UN and Regional Arrangements 102

Section 4.2 Peace Operations Doctrine 102

Section 4.3 Training and Preparation Responsibilities 103

Section 4.4 UN Administrative and Logistical Support Requirements 104

Section 4.5 Memorandum of Understanding 104



vII

Section 4.6 Deployment Periods, Rotations, and Standardization 105

Section 4.7 Command and Control 106

Section 4.8 National Contingent Headquarters and National Support elements 107

Annex Iv: Model Memorandum of Understanding 111

Annex v: 2008 UN Administrative and Logistics Guidelines 122

Annex vI: Outline of the 2017 UN Contingent-Owned equipment Manual 146

Annex vII: Authority, Command, and Control in UN Peacekeeping Operations 150

Lesson 5 Selection and Preparation of UN Mission Leaders 176

Section 5.1 The Need to Change 177

Section 5.2 Policy and Head of Mission 179

Section 5.3 UN Chain of Command 180

Section 5.4 Selection and Appointment of Mission Leadership 181

Section 5.5 Training of Key Personnel 184

Section 5.6 Appointment and Other Directives 185

Annex vIII: Standard Directives for Special Representatives of the Secretary-General 187

Lesson 6 Integration and Cooperation in UN Peace Operations 198

Section 6.1 Integrated Mission Structures 200

Section 6.2 Mission Components 200

Section 6.3 Mission Integration 207

Section 6.4 Working with the UNCT 208



vIII

Section 6.5 Civil-Military Coordination 209

Section 6.6 Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations 210

Section 6.7 Coordination with Humanitarian Affairs 210

Lesson 7 Cross-Cutting Issues in UN Peace Operations 214

Section 7.1 Protection of Civilians 216

Section 7.2 Use of Force 217

Section 7.3 Human Rights 220

Section 7.4 Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration 221

Section 7.5 Security Sector Reform 222

Section 7.6 Gender 223

Section 7.7 Safety and Security 224

Section 7.8 Public Information 226

Section 7.9 Conduct and Discipline 227

Annex IX: DPKO/DFS Policy: Protection of Civilians 228

Annex X: UNMIL Soldier’s Card: Rules of engagement 232

Lesson 8 Command and Leadership Issues in Peace Operations 236

Section 8.1 Command and Control in Peace Operations 237

Section 8.2 Guidance to Leaders 240

Section 8.3 Medical Responsibilities of Leaders 244

Section 8.4 Welfare of Contingents 245

Section 8.5 Accommodation 245

Section 8.6 UN Medals and Commendations 246

Annex XI: Ten Rules: Code of Personal Conduct for Blue Helmets 248

Annex XII: We Are United Nations Peacekeepers 250



IX

Appendices

Appendix A: List of Acronyms 256

Appendix B: Current Peacekeeping Missions 261

About the Author: Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired) 262

Instructions for the end-of-Course examination 263



X

Dynamic leadership of United Nations peace operations is critical to success. This course is designed

for those who may find themselves in leadership positions in UN peace operations or for those wishing

to understand the issues associated with leading peacekeeping missions and peace operations. It should

prove useful to both senior and junior leaders, those appointed to UN command and staff positions,

and those with national command or staff responsibilities. Applicable to civilian, military, and police

appointments, this course covers issues for participants at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels.

The lessons should also be useful to those in organizations who need to interact with leaders within

UN and international peace operations or with the UN Secretariat, such as Member States, regional

organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other UN and international organizations

and agencies.

The course first considers the strategic and international issues that define UN peacekeeping and

peacemaking, including the relationships that exist between the UN and its Member States and other

organizations. Subsequent lessons consider how Member States and the wider international community

support the UN in its authorization and deployment of peace operations. The course also looks at how

field missions are structured and organized, and at the various issues associated with leadership within

UN peace operations at the operational, national, and tactical levels, including security, force protection,

and sustainment concerns.

This course was previously titled Commanding United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. It has been

revised and renamed to recognize the critical role of all leaders in peace operations and to respond to

ongoing developments in UN policy and reform and recent experiences in UN and international peace

operations.

–Major General Tim Ford (Retired), 2018

Foreword



XI

Method of Study

This self-paced course aims to give students flexibility in their approach to learning. The

following steps are meant to provide motivation and guidance about some possible strategies

and minimum expectations for completing this course successfully:

• Before you begin studying, first browse through the entire course. Notice the lesson and

section titles to get an overall idea of what will be involved as you proceed.

• The material is meant to be relevant and practical. Instead of memorizing individual details,

strive to understand concepts and overall perspectives in regard to the United Nations system.

• Set personal guidelines and benchmarks regarding how you want to schedule your time.

• Study the lesson content and the learning objectives. At the beginning of each lesson,

orient yourself to the main points. If possible, read the material twice to ensure maximum

understanding and retention, and let time elapse between readings.

• At the end of each lesson, take the end-of-Lesson Quiz. Clarify any missed questions by

rereading the appropriate sections, and focus on retaining the correct information.

• After you complete all of the lessons, prepare for the end-of-Course examination by taking

time to review the main points of each lesson. Then, when ready, log into your online student

classroom and take the end-of-Course examination in one sitting.

» Access your online classroom at <www.peaceopstraining.org/users/user_login> from virtually anywhere in the world.

• Your exam will be scored electronically. If you achieve a passing grade of 75 per cent or higher

on the exam, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. If you score below 75 per cent,

you will be given one opportunity to take a second version of the end-of-Course examination.

• A note about language: This course uses english spelling according to the standards of the

Oxford english Dictionary (United Kingdom) and the United Nations editorial Manual.

Key Features of Your Online Classroom »

• Access to all of your courses;

• A secure testing environment in which to complete your training;

• Access to additional training resources, including multimedia course

supplements;

• The ability to download your Certificate of Completion for any completed

course; and

• Forums where you can discuss relevant topics with the POTI community.

12

In this lesson » Lesson Objectives »


LEADING WITHIN UNITED NATIONS PEACE OPERATIONS

LESSON

Section 1.1 Foundations and Nature of the

United Nations System

Section 1.2 Working Organization of the

United Nations

Section 1.3 UN Organs and Agencies

Section 1.4 Financing the United Nations

Section 1.5 Continual UN Reform

• Understand the background to the creation of the UN.

• Appreciate the overall role of the UN and its complexity

and international nature.

• Identify the principal organs of the UN.

• Know the responsibilities of the General Assembly and

the Security Council.

• Describe the difference between the UN organs and UN

agencies.

• Appreciate the evolving nature of UN financing and

reform.

The United Nations was created by a world determined to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.1

UN Photo #194660 by Paulo Filgueiras.

The United Nations Framework1

LeSSON 1 | THe UNITeD NATIONS FRAMeWORK

13

Section 1.1 Foundations and Nature of the United Nations System

Creation

The United Nations was created by a world determined

to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”1

during the United Nations Conference on International

Organizations held in San Francisco in April 1945.2 The

delegates, representing 50 countries, deliberated on the

basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of

China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Union

of Soviet Socialist Republics from August to October 1944 at

1) United Nations, Charter of the United Nations, 26 June 1945. Available from: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/un-charter-full-text/>.

2) United Nations, “1945: The San Francisco Conference”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available at: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1945-san-francisco-conference/index.html>.

Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the seventieth-anniversary celebration of the United Nations Correspondents Association

at its annual directory reception at United Nations Headquarters in New York. 26 June 2018. UN Photo #767238 by Mark Garten.


14

Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., United States.3 This origin of the UN accounts for the increased responsibilities

granted to the victorious nations of the Second World War within the organization; their leading role still prevails

today in the constitution of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Its creation was marked by the

signing of the treaty that describes its status: the Charter of the United Nations.

The establishment of the UN characterizes the changes seen in international relationships during the twentieth

century. even though the idea of setting up an international organization with political objectives is not new, its

achievement is quite recent. The only other organization in modern history to gain this distinction was the League

of Nations. Conceived under similar circumstances and established in 1919 after the First World War under the

Treaty of versailles, the League of Nations aimed “to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and

security.” The Treaty of Versailles also created the International Labour Organization (ILO) as an affiliated agency of

the League. The League of Nations ceased its activities in 1946 after failing to prevent the Second World War, but the

ILO continues to operate.

The Charter of the United Nations

Fifty nations signed the Charter of the United Nations on 26 June 1945.4 The General Assembly has amended the

Charter several times; it currently consists of 111 Articles and 19 Chapters, which describe the purposes, principles,

membership, organs, and scope of UN activities.

Key Principles of the UN Charter include:

• Sovereign equality of all Member States;

• Peaceful settlement of disputes;

• Restraint from the use of force; and

• Non-intervention in the domestic affairs of nations (except for enforcement measures under Chapter VII).

3) United Nations, “1944–1945: Dumbarton Oaks and Yalta”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available at: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations-charter/1944-1945-dumbarton-oaks-and-yalta/index.html>.

4) United Nations, Charter of the United Nations, 26 June 1945. Available from: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/un-charter-full-text/>.

View the UN Charter online »To read the entire founding document of the United

Nations and to reference the articles mentioned in

this course, access the Charter online at

<www.un.org/en/documents/charter/>.

UN Photo #101834 by United Nations.


15

Outline of the UN Charter »

“We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war...”i

» Chapter I – Purposes and Principles

» Chapter II – Membership

» Chapter III – Organs

» Chapter Iv – The General Assembly

» Chapter v – The Security Council

» Chapter VI – Pacific Settlement of Disputes

» Chapter vII – Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression

» Chapter vIII – Regional Arrangements

» Chapter IX – International economic and Social Co-operation

» Chapter X – The economic and Social Council

» Chapter XI – Declaration Regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories

» Chapter XII – International Trusteeship System

» Chapter XIII – The Trusteeship Council

» Chapter XIv – The International Court of Justice

» Chapter Xv – The Secretariat

» Chapter XvI – Miscellaneous Provisions

» Chapter XvII – Transitional Security Arrangements

» Chapter XvIII – Amendments

» Chapter XIX – Ratification and Signature

i) United Nations, Charter of the United Nations, Preamble.

International Agreements

Since its creation, the United Nations has played a leading role in multinational discussions and the development

of international law; however, a full understanding of the background of international peace and security issues and

peacekeeping activities must include an awareness of the previous treaties and principles that continue to influence

the conduct of international organizations, such as the Hague Convention of 1907,5 which is included in today’s

understanding of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC).6 We also need to be aware of the wide range of international and

regional organizations and agreements that exist and have an impact on the international process.

5) Convention (Iv) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its annex: Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land, The Hague, 18 October 1907. Available from: <https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/INTRO/195>. This is a practical soldier’s law that aims to establish rules for the conduct of operations and how to carry out the fighting by stating what you can attack and how you should attack it. It provides rules that limit the destructive effects of combat exceeding what truly is necessary to achieve the military aim or mission.

6) ICRC, The Law of Armed Conflict (Geneva: ICRC, 2002). Available from: <https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/law1_final.pdf>.


16

Membership

The United Nations began in 1945 with the 50 nations that were its “original members”. As of 2018, the UN

included 193 nations, such that nearly all of the world’s recognized nations participate as active members. Additionally,

there are two permanent non-member observer States at the United Nations (the Holy See and Palestine),7 and

21 intergovernmental organizations participate as observers and maintain permanent offices at UN Headquarters

(UNHQ) in New York.8

Although the Charter does not make it compulsory, most Member States establish a diplomatic mission in

New York to represent them on a permanent basis at UNHQ. These permanent missions are normally comprised

of a Permanent Representative, usually of ambassadorial rank, plus national staff appointed by their respective

governments who can represent the Member State as a national delegation in UN agencies and meetings. Many now

include national military and police officers as counsels or attachés who advise the permanent mission on relevant

technical aspects associated with UN peace operations and represent their nations at appropriate UN committees and

working groups.

Section 1.2 Working Organization of the United Nations

The United Nations today is a large and complex system. It comprises six major branches (called organs) and

has many associated specialized agencies, programmes, and related organizations that operate around the world.

In addition to its headquarters in New York, the United Nations maintains a significant presence in Addis Ababa,

Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, Santiago, and Vienna, and it has offices worldwide. Figure 1-1 illustrates this

structure.

International professionals and general service and field staff conduct the day-to-day functions of the UN offices

and field missions, and they provide continuity in the administration of this complex organization. As of December

2016, the Secretariat had more than 10,000 permanent staff members. The Secretary-General and other staff are

international civil servants who “answer to the United Nations alone for their activities and take an oath not to seek

or receive instructions from any government or outside authority. Under the Charter, each Member State vows to

respect the exclusively international character of the responsibilities of the Secretary-General and the staff and to

refrain from seeking to influence them improperly.”9

Worldwide, the UN staff, including local personnel and civilian peacekeepers, totals more than 44,000

individuals.10 Additionally, the United Nations deploys more than 100,000 military, police, and civilians from 124

Member States to peace operations around the world.11

7) United Nations, “Non-member States”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/member-states/non-member-states/index.html>.

8) United Nations, “Intergovernmental Organizations”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/member-states/intergovernmental-organizations/index.html>.

9) UN Visitors Centre, “Membership of principal United Nations organs in 2018”, 2018. Available from: <https://visit.un.org/sites/visit.un.org/files/fs_membership_principalorgans_2018.pdf>.

10) United Nations Careers, “Where we are”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx>.11) DPKO, “Data”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/data>.

LeS

SO

N 1

| T

He

UN

ITeD

NAT

ION

S F

RA

MeW

OR

K

17

No

tes:

1 M

em

be

rs o

f th

e U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s S

yst

em

Ch

ief

Exe

cu

tive

s B

oa

rd f

or

Co

ord

inati

on

(C

EB

).

2

UN

Off

ice f

or

Pa

rtn

ers

hip

s (U

NO

P)

is t

he U

N’s

fo

ca

l p

oin

t v

is-a

-vis

th

e U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s F

ou

nd

ati

on

, In

c.

3

IAE

A a

nd

OP

CW

re

po

rt t

o t

he S

ecu

rity

Co

un

cil a

nd

th

e G

en

era

l A

sse

mb

ly (

GA

).

4

WT

O h

as

no

re

po

rtin

g o

blig

ati

on

to

th

e G

A, b

ut

co

ntr

ibu

tes

on

an

ad

ho

c b

asi

s to

GA

an

d E

co

no

mic

an

d

So

cia

l C

ou

ncil (

EC

OS

OC

) w

ork

on

, in

ter

alia

, fi

na

nce a

nd

deve

lop

me

nt

issu

es.

5

Sp

ecia

lize

d a

ge

ncie

s a

re a

uto

no

mo

us

org

an

izati

on

s w

ho

se w

ork

is

co

ord

inate

d t

hro

ug

h E

CO

SO

C (

inte

r-

go

ve

rnm

en

tal le

ve

l) a

nd

CE

B (

inte

r-se

cre

tari

at

leve

l).

6

Th

e T

rust

ee

ship

Co

un

cil s

usp

en

de

d o

pe

rati

on

on

1 N

ove

mb

er

199

4,

as

on

1 O

cto

be

r 19

94

Pa

lau

, th

e l

ast

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s Tru

st T

err

ito

ry, b

ec

am

e in

de

pe

nd

en

t.

7

Inte

rnati

on

al C

en

tre f

or

Se

ttle

me

nt

of

Inve

stm

en

t D

isp

ute

s (I

CS

ID)

an

d M

ult

ilate

ral In

ve

stm

en

t G

ua

ran

tee

Ag

en

cy (

MIG

A)

are

no

t sp

ecia

lize

d a

ge

ncie

s in

acco

rda

nce w

ith

Art

icle

s 5

7 a

nd

63

of

the C

ha

rte

r, b

ut

are

pa

rt o

f th

e W

orl

d B

an

k G

rou

p.

8

Th

e s

ecre

tari

ats

of

the

se o

rga

ns

are

pa

rt o

f th

e U

N S

ecre

tari

at.

9

Th

e S

ecre

tari

at

als

o i

nclu

de

s th

e f

ollo

win

g o

ffic

es:

Th

e E

thic

s O

ffic

e,

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s O

mb

ud

sma

n a

nd

Me

dia

tio

n S

erv

ice

s, a

nd

th

e O

ffic

e o

f A

dm

inis

trati

on

of

Ju

stic

e.

Th

is C

ha

rt i

s a r

efl

ec

tio

n o

f th

e f

un

cti

on

al

org

an

iza

tio

n o

f th

e U

nit

ed

Na

tio

ns

Sy

ste

m a

nd

fo

r in

form

ati

on

al

pu

rpo

ses

on

ly. It

do

es

no

t in

clu

de

all o

ffic

es

or

en

titi

es

of

the

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s S

yst

em

.

Re

gio

na

l C

om

mis

sio

ns8

EC

A E

co

no

mic

Co

mm

issi

on

fo

r A

fric

a

EC

E E

co

no

mic

Co

mm

issi

on

fo

r E

uro

pe

EC

LA

C E

co

no

mic

Co

mm

issi

on

fo

r L

ati

n

Am

eri

ca a

nd

th

e C

ari

bb

ea

n

ES

CA

P E

co

no

mic

an

d S

ocia

l C

om

mis

sio

n

for

Asi

a a

nd

th

e P

acif

ic

ES

CW

A E

co

no

mic

an

d S

ocia

l C

om

mis

sio

n

or

We

ste

rn A

sia

Re

sea

rch

an

d T

rain

ing

UN

IDIR

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s In

stit

ute

fo

r D

isa

rma

me

nt

Re

sea

rch

UN

ITA

R U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s In

stit

ute

fo

r Tra

inin

g a

nd

Re

sea

rch

UN

SS

C U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s S

yst

em

Sta

ff

Co

lle

ge

UN

U U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s U

niv

ers

ity

Oth

er

En

titi

es

ITC

In

tern

ati

on

al Tra

de C

en

tre (

UN

/W

TO

)

UN

CT

AD

1,8 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s C

on

fere

nce o

n T

rad

e

an

d D

eve

lop

me

nt

UN

HC

R1 O

ffic

e o

f th

e U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s

Hig

h C

om

mis

sio

ne

r fo

r R

efu

ge

es

UN

OP

S1 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s O

ffic

e f

or

P

roje

ct

Se

rvic

es

UN

RW

A1 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s R

elie

f a

nd

Wo

rks

Ag

en

cy f

or

Pale

stin

e R

efu

ge

es

in t

he

Ne

ar

East

UN

-WO

ME

N1 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s E

nti

ty f

or

Ge

nd

er

Eq

uality

an

d t

he E

mp

ow

erm

en

t o

f W

om

en

Fu

nd

s a

nd

Pro

gra

mm

es1

UN

DP

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s D

eve

lop

me

nt

Pro

gra

mm

e

• U

NC

DF

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s C

ap

ital D

eve

lop

me

nt

Fu

nd

• U

NV

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s V

olu

nte

ers

UN

EP

8 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s E

nvir

on

me

nt

Pro

gra

mm

e

UN

FP

A U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s P

op

ula

tio

n F

un

d

UN

-HA

BIT

AT

8 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s H

um

an

S

ett

lem

en

ts P

rog

ram

me

UN

ICE

F U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s C

hild

ren

’s F

un

d

WF

P W

orl

d F

oo

d P

rog

ram

me (

UN

/FA

O)

Su

bsi

dia

ry O

rga

ns

• M

ain

Co

mm

itte

es

• D

isa

rma

me

nt

Co

mm

issi

on

• H

um

an

Rig

hts

Co

un

cil

• In

tern

ati

on

al L

aw

Co

mm

issi

on

• Jo

int

Insp

ec

tio

n U

nit

(JIU

)

• S

tan

din

g c

om

mit

tee

s a

nd

a

d h

oc b

od

ies

• In

tern

ati

on

al R

esi

du

al M

ech

an

ism

fo

r C

rim

inal Tri

bu

nals

• M

ilit

ary

Sta

ff C

om

mit

tee

• P

ea

ce

ke

ep

ing

op

era

tio

ns

an

d p

oliti

cal m

issi

on

s

• S

an

cti

on

s co

mm

itte

es

(ad

ho

c)

• S

tan

din

g c

om

mit

tee

s a

nd

ad

ho

c b

od

ies

UN

ISD

R U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s O

ffic

e f

or

Dis

ast

er

R

isk R

ed

uc

tio

n

UN

OD

C1 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s O

ffic

e o

n D

rug

s

an

d C

rim

e

UN

OG

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s O

ffic

e a

t G

en

eva

UN

-OH

RL

LS

Off

ice o

f th

e H

igh

Re

pre

sen

tati

ve

for

the L

east

Deve

lop

ed

Co

un

trie

s, L

an

dlo

cke

d

Deve

lop

ing

Co

un

trie

s a

nd

Sm

all I

sla

nd

D

eve

lop

ing

Sta

tes

UN

ON

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s O

ffic

e a

t N

air

ob

i

UN

OP

2 U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s O

ffic

e f

or

Pa

rtn

ers

hip

s

UN

OV

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s O

ffic

e a

t V

ien

na

D

ep

art

me

nts

an

d O

ffic

es9

EO

SG

Exe

cu

tive O

ffic

e o

f th

e

Se

cre

tary

-Ge

ne

ral

DE

SA

De

pa

rtm

en

t o

f E

co

no

mic

an

d

So

cia

l A

ffair

s

DG

AC

M D

ep

art

me

nt

for

Ge

ne

ral A

sse

mb

ly

an

d C

on

fere

nce M

an

ag

em

en

t

DG

C D

ep

art

me

nt

of

Glo

bal

Co

mm

un

icati

on

s

DM

SP

C D

ep

art

me

nt

of

Ma

nag

em

en

t S

trate

gy, P

olicy a

nd

Co

mp

lia

nce

DO

S D

ep

art

me

nt

of

Op

era

tio

nal S

up

po

rt

DP

O D

ep

art

me

nt

of

Pe

ace O

pe

rati

on

s

DP

PA

De

pa

rtm

en

t o

f P

oliti

cal a

nd

P

ea

ce

bu

ild

ing

Aff

air

s

DS

S D

ep

art

me

nt

of

Safe

ty a

nd

Se

cu

rity

OC

HA

Off

ice f

or

the C

oo

rdin

ati

on

of

H

um

an

ita

ria

n A

ffair

s

OD

A O

ffic

e f

or

Dis

arm

am

en

t A

ffair

s

OH

CH

R O

ffic

e o

f th

e U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s

Hig

h C

om

mis

sio

ne

r fo

r H

um

an

Rig

hts

OIO

S O

ffic

e o

f In

tern

al O

ve

rsig

ht

Se

rvic

es

OL

A O

ffic

e o

f L

eg

al A

ffair

s

OS

AA

Off

ice o

f th

e S

pecia

l Ad

vis

er

on A

fric

a

SR

SG

/CA

AC

Off

ice o

f th

e S

pe

cia

l R

ep

rese

nta

tive o

f th

e S

ecre

tary

-Ge

ne

ral

for

Ch

ild

ren

an

d A

rme

d C

on

flic

t

SR

SG

/SV

C O

ffic

e o

f th

e S

pe

cia

l R

ep

rese

nta

tive o

f th

e S

ecre

tary

-Ge

ne

ral

on

Sexu

al V

iole

nce in

Co

nfl

ict

SR

SG

/V

AC

Off

ice o

f th

e S

pe

cia

l R

ep

rese

nta

tive o

f th

e S

ecre

tary

-Ge

ne

ral

on

Vio

len

ce A

gain

st C

hild

ren

Fu

ncti

on

al

Co

mm

issi

on

s

• C

rim

e P

reve

nti

on

an

d C

rim

inal Ju

stic

e

• N

arc

oti

c D

rug

s

• P

op

ula

tio

n a

nd

Deve

lop

me

nt

• S

cie

nce a

nd

Tech

no

log

y f

or

Develo

pm

en

t

• S

ocia

l D

eve

lop

me

nt

• S

tati

stic

s

• S

tatu

s o

f W

om

en

• U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s F

oru

m o

n F

ore

sts

Oth

er

Bo

die

s

• C

om

mit

tee f

or

Deve

lop

me

nt

Po

licy

• C

om

mit

tee o

f E

xp

ert

s o

n P

ub

lic A

dm

inis

trati

on

• C

om

mit

tee o

n N

on

-Go

ve

rnm

en

tal O

rgan

izati

on

s

• P

erm

an

en

t F

oru

m o

n I

nd

ige

no

us

Issu

es

UN

AID

S J

oin

t U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s P

rog

ram

me o

n

HIV

/AID

S

UN

GE

GN

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s G

rou

p o

f E

xp

ert

s o

n

Ge

og

rap

hic

al N

am

es

Re

sea

rch

an

d T

rain

ing

UN

ICR

I U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s In

terr

eg

ion

al C

rim

e a

nd

Ju

stic

e R

ese

arc

h I

nst

itu

te

UN

RIS

D U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s R

ese

arc

h I

nst

itu

te f

or

So

cia

l D

eve

lop

me

nt

Sp

ecia

lize

d A

ge

ncie

s 1, 5

FA

O F

oo

d a

nd

Ag

ricu

ltu

re O

rga

niz

ati

on

of

the U

nit

ed

Nati

on

s

ICA

O I

nte

rnati

on

al C

ivil A

via

tio

n

Org

an

izati

on

IFA

D I

nte

rnati

on

al F

un

d f

or

A

gri

cu

ltu

ral D

eve

lop

me

nt

ILO

In

tern

ati

on

al L

ab

ou

r O

rga

niz

ati

on

IMF

In

tern

ati

on

al M

on

eta

ry F

un

d

IMO

In

tern

ati

on

al M

ari

tim

e O

rga

niz

ati

on

ITU

In

tern

ati

on

al Te

leco

mm

un

icati

on

Un

ion

UN

ES

CO

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s E

du

cati

on

al,

Scie

nti

fic a

nd

Cu

ltu

ral O

rga

niz

ati

on

UN

IDO

Un

ite

d N

ati

on

s In

du

stri

al

Deve

lop

me

nt

Org

an

izati

on

UN

WT

O W

orl

d T

ou

rism

Org

an

izati

on

UP

U U

niv

ers

al P

ost

al U

nio

n

WH

O W

orl

d H

ealt

h O

rga

niz

ati

on

WIP

O W

orl

d I

nte

lle

ctu

al P

rop

ert

y

Org

an

izati

on

WM

O W

orl

d M

ete

oro

log

ical O

rga

niz

ati

on

WO

RL

D B

AN

K G

RO

UP

7

• IB

RD

In

tern

ati

on

al B

an

k f

or

Re

co

nst

ruc

tio

n a

nd

Deve

lop

me

nt

• ID

A I

nte

rnati

on

al D

eve

lop

me

nt

Ass

ocia

tio

n

• IF

C I

nte

rnati

on

al F

ina

nce C

orp

ora

tio

n

Re

late

d O

rga

niz

ati

on

s

CT

BT

O P

RE

PA

RA

TO

RY

CO

MM

ISS

ION

P

rep

ara

tory

Co

mm

issi

on

fo

r th

e C

om

pre

he

n-

sive N

ucle

ar-

Te

st-B

an

Tre

aty

Org

an

izati

on

IAE

A1,

3 I

nte

rnati

on

al A

tom

ic E

ne

rgy A

ge

ncy

ICC

In

tern

ati

on

al C

rim

inal C

ou

rt

IOM

1 In

tern

ati

on

al O

rga

niz

ati

on

fo

r M

igra

tio

n

ISA

In

tern

ati

on

al S

ea

be

d A

uth

ori

ty

ITL

OS

In

tern

ati

on

al Tri

bu

nal fo

r th

e L

aw

o

f th

e S

ea

OP

CW

3 O

rga

niz

ati

on

fo

r th

e P

roh

ibit

ion

of

C

he

mic

al W

ea

po

ns

WT

O1,

4 W

orl

d T

rad

e O

rga

niz

ati

on

Su

bsi

dia

ry O

rga

ns

• C

ou

nte

r-Te

rro

rism

Co

mm

itte

e

Pe

ace

bu

ild

ing

Co

mm

issi

on

HL

PF

Hig

h-l

eve

l p

oliti

cal

foru

m o

n s

ust

ain

ab

le

deve

lop

me

nt

© 2019 United Nations. All rights reserved worldwide Published by the United Nations Department of Global Communications 18-00159—1 January 2019

UN

PR

INC

IPA

L

OR

GA

NS

GE

NE

RA

L

AS

SE

MB

LY

SE

CU

RIT

Y

CO

UN

CIL

TR

US

TE

ES

HIP

C

OU

NC

IL6

INT

ER

NA

TIO

NA

L

CO

UR

T O

F J

US

TIC

E

SE

CR

ET

AR

IAT

EC

ON

OM

IC A

ND

S

OC

IAL

CO

UN

CIL

The U

nit

ed

Nati

ons

Syst

em

Fig

ure

1-1

iiii)

U

nite

d N

atio

ns,

"The

Uni

ted

Nat

ions

Sys

tem

Cha

rt",

Jan

uary

201

9. A

vaila

ble

from

: <

http

://w

ww

.un.

org/

en/p

dfs/

18-0

0159

e_un

_sys

tem

_cha

rt_1

7x11

_4c_

en_w

eb.p

df>

.


18

Section 1.3 UN Organs and Agencies

The six principal organs of the UN are:

• the General Assembly;

• the Security Council;

• the economic and Social Council (eCOSOC);

• the Trusteeship Council;

• the International Court of Justice; and

• the Secretariat.

In particular, three UN organs significantly affect international peace and security issues. These are the UN

General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Secretariat.

The General Assembly

“The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN.”12

each Member State appoints a representative to the General Assembly, and each Member State has one vote.

Decisions on important questions — such as those on peace and security, admission of new members, and budgetary

matters — require a two-thirds majority. Decisions on other questions require a simple majority.

The General Assembly holds its annual regular session

from September to December. every September, “[a]t

the start of each regular session, the General Assembly

elects a new president, 21 vice presidents[,] and the

Chairpersons of the Assembly’s six Main Committees.”13

To ensure equitable geographical representation, the

presidency of the Assembly rotates each year among five

groups of States: the African Group, the Asia-Pacific Group,

the eastern european Group, the Latin American and

Caribbean Group, and the Western european and Others

Group. When each regular session begins, “the Assembly

holds a general debate, often addressed by heads of state

and government, in which Member States express their

views on the most pressing international issues.”14

The General Assembly can request special sessions, which are called to order by the Secretary-General as

required by particular circumstances, either at the request of the Security Council or of a majority of the Member

States, or of one member if the majority of the Member States agree. Special emergency sessions may be called

within 24 hours in the same manner.

12) United Nations, “Main Organs”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-un/main-organs/>.13) United Nations, “Background Information”.14) United Nations, “Background Information”.

Felipe García-Landa, Representative of Mexico for the

Administrative and Budgetary Committee (Fifth Committee),

addresses the General Assembly meeting. 4 April 2018. UN

Photo #756440 by Eskinder Debebe.


19

During sessions, the General Assembly works either in plenary session or committee sessions. Most questions

come up for discussion in its six Main Committees:

• First Committee – Disarmament & International Security;

• Second Committee – economic & Financial;

• Third Committee – Social, Humanitarian & Cultural;

• Fourth Committee – Special Political & Decolonization;

• Fifth Committee – Administrative & Budgetary; and

• Sixth Committee – Legal.

The responsibilities of the General Assembly include:

• Shared responsibilities:

– With the Security Council – issues concerning peacekeeping and international security; and

– With the Trusteeship Council – monitoring of administration of territories under supervision.

• Unique responsibilities:

– Study of reports from other United Nations agencies;

– Statement of general principles of cooperation for peacekeeping, particularly concerning disarmament;

– International cooperation in various fields and for the protection of human rights;

– Approval of supervision agreements; and

– Approval of the organization’s budget.

The Security Council

The Security Council’s primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security. It consists of five

permanent members — China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States — and 10

non-permanent members. The General Assembly elects the non-permanent members for a term of two years each.

Traditionally, the Security Council allots the 10 non-permanent seats on a regional basis as follows:

• Africa and Asia (5)

• eastern europe (1)

• Latin America and the Caribbean (2)

• Western europe and other States (2)

Wide view of the Security Council as Nickolay Mladenov

(on screen), UN Special Coordinator for the Middle

East Peace Process and Personal Representative of

the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation

Organization and the Palestinian Authority, briefs the

Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle

East, including the Palestinian question. 24 July 2018.

UN Photo #770523 by Rick Bajornas.


20

The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly according to the english alphabetical listing of its

members. The Security Council’s structure and organization allow it to perform its tasks on a permanent basis, and

it keeps the Secretary-General and the General Assembly informed of its activities.

The Secretariat15

In addition to its administrative functions, the Secretariat records and issues the international treaties signed by

Member States of the United Nations. The Secretary-General, “the Senior Official in the Organization”, manages the

Secretariat. Appointed every five years by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council,

the Secretary-General plays an important political role over and above his specific function at the UN. For example,

UN agencies may request the Secretary-General to perform specific missions — political mediations, in particular.

An Under-Secretary-General heads each of the departments and offices in the Secretariat. The Under-Secretaries-

General coordinate their departments’ activities through the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. The heads

of departments and agencies meet periodically with the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General in the

Senior Management Group and the executive Committee on Peace and Security.

All departments and offices have some input in peacekeeping and resolving conflicts. For example, the Office of

Legal Affairs is deeply involved in developing the rules of engagement (ROE) for peace operations, memorandums of

understanding (MOU), and the Status of Forces/Mission Agreements (SOFA/SOMA) with Member States. Additionally,

the Department of Management authorizes the budget for field missions.

Lesson 3 of this course discusses the functions of the departments involved in conflict management in greater

detail, including the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the Department of Peace Operations

(DPO), the Department of Operational Support (DOS), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),

and the Department of Safety and Security (DSS).16

15) United Nations, “Secretariat”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-un/secretariat/index.html>.16) Section 1.5 discusses changes to the UN structure for peace and security currently under consideration.

The Secretariat building at UNHQ bathed in the light of the setting sun. 28 November 2011. UN

Photo #496435 by Rick Bajornas.


21

The Economic and Social Council

The UN Charter established the economic and Social Council (eCOSOC) as the principal organ to coordinate the

economic, social, and related work of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and institutions, also known as

the United Nations family of organizations. Some of the functions and powers of eCOSOC are:

• To serve as the central forum for the discussion of international economic, social, humanitarian, and

environmental issues of a global or interdisciplinary nature and the formulation of policy recommendations

on those issues addressed to Member States and the United Nations system;

• To conduct or initiate studies and reports and make recommendations on economic, social, cultural,

educational, health, and related matters; and

• To promote respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Today, eCOSOC comprises 54 members with one vote each. Of these 54 members, 18 are elected each year and

serve a three-year term. The Council meets annually in a four-week session that alternates between New York and

Geneva. eCOSOC is not a decision-making body; rather, it prepares items for the General Assembly to decide on and

assists the Security Council when required.

The International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the UN. It settles legal disputes between

States according to international law and provides advisory opinions to the United Nations and its specialized

agencies.

The Court is open to all States that are parties to its Statute, including all Members of the United Nations. Only

States may be parties in contentious cases before the Court and submit disputes to it. The Court is not open to

private persons and entities or international organizations.

A wide view of the ECOSOC Chamber as the Council opened its 2017 operational activities

segment. 28 February 2017. UN Photo #715504 by Eskinder Debebe.


22

The General Assembly and the Security Council can ask the Court for an advisory opinion on any legal question.

Other organs of the United Nations and the specialized agencies, when authorized by the General Assembly, can ask

for advisory opinions on legal questions within the scope of their activities.

The Trusteeship Council

The Charter established the Trusteeship Council in 1945 to provide international supervision for 11 Trust

Territories placed under the administration of seven Member States. The Trusteeship Council ensured that the UN

took adequate steps to prepare the Territories for self-government or independence. The UN Charter authorized

the Trusteeship Council to examine and discuss reports from the administering authority on the political, economic,

social, and educational advancement of the peoples of Trust Territories; to examine petitions from the Territories;

and to undertake special missions to the Territories.

By the end of 1994, “all Trust Territories had attained self-government or independence, either as separate

States or by joining neighbouring independent countries. The last to do so was the Trust Territory of the Pacific

Islands”, now known as Palau, which became the 185th Member State in December 1994.17 Its work completed,

the Trusteeship Council — consisting of the five permanent members of the Security Council — amended its rules of

procedure to meet where occasion may require.

The UN and Other Agencies

The UN includes a number of agencies that depend mainly on the General Assembly and eCOSOC. Additionally,

other international agencies do not belong to the UN but maintain close relations with the organization through

eCOSOC. Peacekeepers may encounter some of these programmes, agencies, or commissions when working with or

as a part of a peace operation.

17) Model United Nations, “Trusteeship Council,” accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <https://outreach.un.org/mun/content/trusteeship-council>.

A general view of the Trusteeship Council Chamber at United Nations Headquarters. 1 January 1993.

UN Photo #64538 by Andrea Brizzi.


23

Financing for the programmes and funds comes in large part through voluntary rather than assessed

contributions. Some of these include:

• The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) extends international

protection to 19.9 million refugees throughout the world, seeking to ensure that they receive asylum and

favourable legal status in their asylum country. Its headquarters are in Geneva, but its staff operate in 128

countries.18

• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is

a semi-autonomous organization that helps developing

countries, at their request, to improve the quality of

life of children through low-cost, community-based

services in maternal and child health, nutrition,

sanitation, and education, as well as emergency relief.

Its headquarters is in New York, but the bulk of the

staff carry out activities in the field in more than 190

countries and territories.19

• The United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP) is the world’s largest channel for providing

multilateral technical and pre-investment assistance

to developing nations and supports projects in nearly

170 countries.20 As the principal political representative

to developing nations, UNDP has an operational role

coordinating with national representatives on behalf of

the UN and coordinating the activities of different UN

agencies in each country.

• UN Women works toward achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and helps set global

standards for achieving gender equality. UN Women strives to better the lives of women and girls worldwide

by working with and supporting Member States to form legislation, policies, and services while keeping the

gender perspective in mind.21

• The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest international food aid organization. WFP is

responsible for handling around 12.6 billion rations of food aid each year. Its mandate is to help poor people

in developing countries by combating world hunger, natural catastrophes, and poverty. Annually, it provides

over 80 million people in around 80 countries with basic foodstuffs.22

A wide range of other UN and international organizations make a significant contribution to international

peace and security, development, and humanitarian assistance around the world. These include the World Health

Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Organization for

Migration (IOM), the ILO, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), among others.

18) UNHCR, “Where We Work”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/where-we-work.html>.19) UNICeF, “Where we work”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <https://www.unicef.org/where-we-work>.20) UNDP, “About Us”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/about-us.html>.21) UN Women, “About UN Women”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/about-un-women>.22) WFP, “Who we are”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <http://www1.wfp.org/overview>.

UNHCR and partners opened a new settlement

area in Arua district, northern Uganda, in February

2017, to host thousands of refugees arriving from

South Sudan. A young girl and boy at the Imvepi

settlement. 20 June 2017. UN Photo #726719 by

Mark Garten.


24

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), based in Switzerland, is the founding institution of the

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This movement includes three branches: the ICRC, the 191

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (National Societies), and the International Federation of Red Cross

and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The ICRC’s mandate is to operate in areas of armed conflict and internal disturbance. Originally, it focused on

protection work, such as promotion among the conflicting parties of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional

Protocols, regarding matters such as the treatment of civilians and prisoners of war. In recent years, the provision of

assistance in complex emergencies became a significant component as well, especially inside conflict zones (and on

both sides of conflict lines).

The ICRC was originally a Swiss organization, in part to promote its fundamental principles of neutrality,

impartiality, and independence. It now incorporates a staff of different nationalities in its assistance efforts (e.g.

doctors and mechanics); however, its delegates, who handle protection matters and the more sensitive negotiations

regarding aid, remain almost exclusively Swiss.

» National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

National Societies operate in more than 190 countries around the world (National Societies in Islamic countries

use the Red Crescent symbol). These Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities in these countries. They

provide a range of services, including disaster relief, health and social assistance, and first aid courses. During

wartime, National Societies may support the army medical services.

» International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The IFRC supports the actions of various National Societies around the world, assisting with the coordination

of international assistance provided to victims of natural disasters and of human-made disasters outside of conflict

areas (where the ICRC takes the lead).

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent, with the support of IFRC,

delivered a convoy of humanitarian aid supplied by the UN

agency offices in Damascus to Yalda, Babila, and Bet Sahem,

suburbs of Damascus, where many families fleeing from the

violence in the Palestinian camp of Yarmouk took shelter.

The convoy contained hygiene kits for families and children,

baby diapers, children's clothes, plastic sheets, kitchen sets,

mattresses, blankets, and sanitary napkins, which were

distributed to 12,000 Palestinian and Syrian families. 1 May

2015. Photo by Ibrahim Malla – IFRC.


25

Section 1.4 Financing the United Nations

United Nations funding comes from three sources: assessed contributions to the regular budget, assessed

contributions for peace operations, and voluntary contributions for specialized agencies and subsidiary

organizations.23

The Fifth Committee of the General Assembly determines

the scale of assessments for contributions to the regular budget

every third year. The scale of assessments reflects a country’s

capacity to pay, determined by factors such as a country’s

national income and population. The peacekeeping budget

assessments are based on the regular budget rates, and

developing countries receive discounts. The five permanent

members of the Security Council, which approves all peace

operations, pay extra fees to compensate for those discounts.

A “ceiling” rate sets the maximum amount of any Member

State’s assessed share of the regular and peacekeeping

budgets. Apart from these contributions, revenue from the

sale of items such as UN souvenirs, special stamps, books, and

brochures finances the regular budget. The Fifth Committee

has recommended a budget of $5.4 billion for the 2018-2019

biennium.

In addition to their contributions to the regular budget,

Member States contribute to the peace operations budget

and the cost of international courts and tribunals. Initially,

a country’s assess contributions to the regular budget

determines the level of these contributions, so it links to

the financial capacity of each. However, the actual level

of assessed contributions to the peace operations budget

also considers the political responsibility of the permanent

members of the Security Council. Since peace missions vary

in number and duration, contributions to the peacekeeping

budget also fluctuate more widely from year to year than

contributions to the regular budget. The approved budget for

UN peace operations for the fiscal year 1 July 2017 to 30 June

2018 was $6.8 billion.24

Member States also contribute to the many projects and

activities of the UN specialized agencies and other subsidiary

organizations. The regular budget covers the administrative

costs of such bodies.

23) Assessed contributions are the dues countries pay in order to be a member of the organization. The amount each Member State must pay is calculated relative to the country’s wealth and population.

24) DPKO, “How We Are Funded”, accessed 24 August 2018. Available from: <https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/how-we-are-funded>.

Scale of Assessment of Major Contributors (2018)i »

United States 22 %

Japan 9.68 %

China 7.92 %

Germany 6.39 %

France 4.86 %

United Kingdom 4.46 %

Brazil 3.82%

Italy 3.75 %

Russian Federation 3.08 %

Canada 2.92 %

Spain 2.44 %

Australia 2.33 %

Korea, Republic of 2.04 %

Netherlands 1.48 %

Mexico 1.43 %

Switzerland 1.14 %

Saudi Arabia 1.14 %

i) UNeSCO, “Scale of assessments, currency of Member States’ contributions and working capital fund”, 8 September 2017. Available from: <http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0025/002589/258947e.pdf>.


26

Section 1.5 Continual UN Reform

The United Nations is a large, multidimensional organization that operates in a complex political and financial

environment. To remain relevant, it must respond to the concerns of its Member States, and it must meet the

demands of the present international situation. The UN must adjust to new conditions and new needs constantly. At

the same time, it must adhere to its Charter and the enshrined principles of sovereign equality of all Member States

and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of nations. To meet these challenges and to respond to concerns about

how various UN activities have evolved in the past, the membership and the Secretariat have undertaken various

major reform programmes and reviews over the years.

After the United Nations failures to prevent genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and to protect the inhabitants of

Srebrenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 1995, Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed the Panel on United Nations

Peace Operations. The panel was tasked with assessing the shortcomings of the peace operations system and making

specific and realistic recommendations for change. The final report of the Panel, known as the “Brahimi Report”25

after Panel Chair Lakhdar Brahimi, “called for renewed political commitment on the part of Member States, significant

institutional change, and increased financial support. The Panel noted that in order to be effective, UN peacekeeping

operations must be properly resourced and equipped, and operate under clear, credible, and achievable mandates.”26

In 2015, a High-Level Independent Panel on Peace

Operations (HIPPO) completed a major review of UN peace

operations, known as the HIPPO Report, the first of its kind since

the 2000 Brahimi Report.27 This took place in parallel with three

other major reviews:

• A Global Study on the implementation of Security

Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace,

and security (WPS) that reviewed the challenges and

lessons learned across regions in implementing the

WPS agenda over the past 15 years;28

• The review of the UN peacebuilding architecture;29 and

• The review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda

for Sustainable Development.30

25) UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, “Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations”, A/55/305–S/2000/809, 21 August 2000. Available from: <http://undocs.org/A/55/305>.

26) United Nations, “‘Brahimi Report’ Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations (2000)”, accessed 24 August 2019. Available from: <http://www.un.org/en/events/pastevents/brahimi_report.shtml>.

27) UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, “Report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations on uniting our strengths for peace: politics, partnership and people”, A/70/95–S/2015/446, 17 June 2015. Available from: <http://undocs.org/A/70/95>.

28) UN Women, Preventing Conflict, transforming Justice, Securing the Peace: A Global Study on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (New York: United Nations, 2015). Available from: <http://wps.unwomen.org/>; UN Security Council, “Resolution 1325 (2000)”, S/ReS/1325 (2000), 31 October 2000. Available from: <https://undocs.org/S/ReS/1325(2000)>.

29) What’s in Blue, “Resolution on the Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture”, 26 April 2016. Available from: <http://www.whatsinblue.org/2016/04/resolution-on-the-review-of-the-un-peacebuilding-architecture.php>.

30) United Nations Division for Sustainable Development, “Central global forum to advance action on Sustainable Development Goals set to highlight implementation progress and challenges”, 10 July 2017. Available from: <https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf/2017/press/07/11>.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN

Women, addressed a press conference on the 15th

anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 and

a new Global Study on Women, Peace and Security

marking the anniversary. 12 October 2015. UN Photo

#648847 by Devra Berkowitz.


27

Further Reading »For more details on the UN system,

readers should refer to the POTI

e-learning course Introduction

to the UN System: Orientation

for Serving on a UN Field Mission

(Revised in 2015). The course

is available online at: <www.

peaceopstraining.org/courses/>.

Since taking office in January 2017, Secretary-General António Guterres has presented the broad strokes of a

reform plan in response to the HIPPO recommendations and other concerns noted in these reviews along five parallel

streams:

1) A renewed focus on prevention and sustaining peace;

2) A new UN Office of Counter-Terrorism;

3) A reform of the UN development system;

4) Restructuring of the peace and security architecture; and

5) Management reform.

While the first three streams are much broader than peace operations and focus both on mission and non-

mission settings, they do have potential implications for peace operations. The last two streams have more direct

and far-reaching consequences for the design and conduct of UN peace operations. On 1 January 2019, a new peace

and security architecture came into effect. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the

Department of Peace Operations (DPO) were formed from the previous departments and now jointly oversee eight

new regional divisions, each managing a mix of peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and non-mission

settings.

The United Nations needs to continue to adjust to meet the challenges facing Member States and their citizenry

in the twenty-first century. In areas like the environment, public health, and human security, the world faces threats

and challenges that know neither borders nor boundaries. However, “by their nature, these challenges also expand

the possibilities for collective action by States and other entities and actors, such as civil society and the private

sector, enabling the UN to become the focus for concerted action to advance the common good.”31

31) United Nations – Jordan, “UN Reform”, 2018. Available from: <http://jo.one.un.org/en/un-reform/>.


28

End-of-Lesson Quiz »

1. The United Nations was founded _____.

A. in 1908

B. in 1945

C. after the Cold War

D. before the Second World War

2. The Security Council’s primary responsibility is to _____.

A. maintain international peace and security

B. act as a World Parliament

C. enact international humanitarian laws

D. None of the above

3. Which of the following is NOT one of the six principal organs of the UN?

A. The Security Council

B. The Secretariat

C. The Trusteeship Council

D. The International Criminal Court

4. The United Nations General Assembly is composed of _____.

A. all Member States

B. five permanent members and 20 elected

members

C. 10 permanent members

D. a proportion of Member States representing

the different regions in the world

5. The UN Security Council is composed of _____.

A. five members

B. ten members

C. fifteen members

D. twenty-five members

6. The five permanent members of the Security Council are _____.

A. China, India, Japan, the Russian Federation,

and the United States

B. Argentina, France, Japan, the Russian

Federation, and the United Kingdom

C. China, France, the Russian Federation, the

United Kingdom, and the United States

D. France, India, the Russian Federation, the

United Kingdom, and the United States

7. Which of the following statements is TRUE of ECOSOC?

A. There are 54 members of eCOSOC

B. eCOSOC has more power than the Security

Council

C. eCOSOC was founded by the League of

Nations

D. eCOSOC is a decision-making body

8. The Secretary-General is appointed _____.

A. every four years by the Security Council

upon the recommendation of the Secretariat

B. every five years by the General Assembly

upon the recommendation of the Security

Council

C. every three years by the Secretariat

upon the recommendation of the General

Assembly

D. every 10 years by the General Assembly

upon the recommendation of the Secretariat

Answer Key provided on the next page.


29

End-of-Lesson Quiz »

Answer Key »1. B

2. A

3. D

4. A

5. C

6. C

7. A

8. B

9. D

10. C

9. Prior to the establishment of the United Nations, only one other entity ever existed as an international organization with political objectives. This now-defunct organization was called _____.

A. the Geneva Conventions Society

B. the International Federation of Red Cross

and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

C. the Security Council

D. the League of Nations

10. The regular budget of the UN is financed by _____.

A. mandatory contributions by the five

permanent members of the Security Council

B. voluntary contributions by Member States

C. assessed contributions determined every

three years based on factors such as a

country’s national income and size of

population

D. None of the above



256

Appendix A: List of Acronyms

AFISMA African-led International Support Mission in Mali

AMISOM African Union Mission in Somalia

C2 command and control

CDT conduct and discipline team

CDU Conduct and Discipline Unit

CIMIC civil-military coordination

CISS Chief of Integrated Support Services

CMO Chief Military Observer

CMOC Civil-Military Operations Centre

CMS Chief of Mission Support

COe contingent-owned equipment

CONOPS concept of operations

CPTMs Core Pre-Deployment Training Materials

CSD Chief of Service Delivery

D1 Director Level 1

D2 Director Level 2

DDR disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration

DFC Deputy Force Commander

DFS Department of Field Support

DMS Director of Mission Support

DO Designated Official

DPA Department of Political Affairs

DPeT Division for Policy, evaluation and Training

DPKO Department of Peacekeeping Operations

DSRSG Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General

DSS Department of Safety and Security

DUF Directive on the Use of Force

eCOMOG economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group

eCOSOC economic and Social Council

eCOWAS economic Community of West African States



257

eCPS executive Committee for Peace and Security

FARDC Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo

FC Force Commander

FHQ force headquarters

FPDO Friends of Peace and Development Organization

FPU formed police unit

HC UN Humanitarian Coordinator

HIPPO High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations

HOM head of mission

HOMC Head of the Military Component

HOPC Head of the Police Component

ICJ International Court of Justice

ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross

IDDRS UN Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Standards

IDP internally displaced person

IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

ILO International Labour Organization

IMF International Monetary Fund

IMPP United Nations Integrated Mission Planning Process

IMTCs Integrated Mission Training Centres

IMTF Integrated Mission Task Force

INTeRFeT east Timor from the International Force for east Timor

IOM International Organization for Migration

IOT Integrated Operational Team

ISS Integrated Support Service

ITS Integrated Training Service

JLOC Joint Logistics Operations Centre

JMAC Joint Mission Analysis Centre

JOC Joint Operations Centre

LI Letters of Intent



258

LOA Letter of Assist

LOAC Law of Armed Conflict

LOe letters of exchange

MACC mine action coordination centre

MINURSO UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

MINUSMA UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali

MINUSTAH United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti

MLO Military Liaison Officer

MLT Mission Leadership Team

MOA memorandum of agreement

MONUC United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

MONUSCO United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

MOU memorandum of understanding

MSA mission subsistence

NGO non-governmental organization

NSe national support elements

NSe(A) NSe administration

NSe(L) NSe logistics

NSe(O) NSe operational

OCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

OPLAN operation plan

OROLSI Office of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions

P5 Professional Level 5

PC Police Commissioner

PCC police-contributing country

PCRS Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System

PeT Policy evaluation and Training Division

PIO Public Information Officer

POC protection of civilians



259

RC UN Resident Coordinator

RDL Rapid Deployment Level

ROe rules of engagement

SADC South African Development Community

SCR United Nations Security Council resolution

SDS strategic deployment stocks

SeA sexual exploitation and abuse

SHIRBRIG Standby High-Readiness Brigade

SitCen Situation Centre

SLP Senior Leadership Programme

SML UN Senior Mission Leadership

SMT Security Management Team

SOFA Status of Forces Agreement

SOMA Status of Mission Agreement

SPC Standing Police Capacity

SPO senior political officer

SRSG Special Representative of the Secretary-General

SSR security sector reform

STM Specialized Training Materials

TCC troop-contributing country

UN Women United Nations entity for Gender equality and the empowerment of Women

UNAMA United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

UNAMI United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq

UNAMID United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur

UNAMSIL United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

UNCT UN Country Team

UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNDSS United Nations Department of Safety and Security

UNeF I First United Nations emergency Force



260

UNFICYP United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHQ United Nations Headquarters in New York

UNICeF United Nations Children’s Fund

UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

UNMAS United Nations Mine Action Service

UNMee United Nations Mission in ethiopia and eritrea

UNMIK United Nations Mission in Kosovo

UNMIL United Nations Mission in Liberia

UNMIS United Nations Mission in Sudan

UNMISS United Nations Mission in South Sudan

UNMIT United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste

UNMO United Nations Military Observers

UNOCC UN Operations and Crisis Centre

UNOG United Nations Office at Geneva

UNOMSIL United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone

UNOSOM II Second United Nations Operation in Somalia

UNPOL United Nations Police Division

UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency

UNSMIL United Nations Support Mission in Libya

UNTAeT United Nations Transitional Administration in east Timor

UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization

UNv United Nations volunteers

WFP World Food Programme

WHO World Health Organization

WPS women, peace, and security



261

Appendix B: Current Peacekeeping Missions

UNITED NATIONSApril 2018

Department of Field SupportGeospatial Information Section (formerly Cartographic Section)

Map No. 4259 Rev. 25 (E)

MINURSOMINUSCA

MINUSMAMINUJUSTHMONUSCOUNAMIDUNDOFUNFICYPUNIFILUNISFAUNMIKUNMISSUNMOGIPUNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Orginization

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western SaharaUnited Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the

United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in MaliUnited Nations Mission for Justice Support in HaitiUnited Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Dem. Republic of the CongoAfrican Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in DarfurUnited Nations Disengagement Observer ForceUnited Nations Peacekeeping Force in CyprusUnited Nations Interim Force in LebanonUnited Nations Interim Security Force for AbyeiUnited Nations Interim Administration Mission in KosovoUnited Nations Mission in South SudanUnited Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan

Central African Republic

established: 1991established: 2014

established: 2013established: 2017established: 2010established: 2007established: 1974established: 1964established: 1978established: 2011established: 1999established: 2011established: 1949established: 1984

UNFICYPCyprus

UNDOFSyria

UNTSOMiddle East

UNIFILLebanon

UNMOGIPIndia and Pakistan

MINURSOWestern Sahara

MINUSCACentral African Republic

UNMIKKosovo

UNAMIDDarfur

UNMISSSouth Sudan

UNISFAAbyei

MONUSCODem. Rep. of the Congo

MINUSMAMali

MINUJUSTHHaiti

UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

» Looking for statistics or other data about peacekeeping around the world today? Visit the UN Peacekeeping resource page for the most up-to-date information about current peacekeeping operations and other UN missions: <https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/resources>.

UN Peacekeeping Map from the UN Cartographic Section, April 2018: <www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/dpko/P_K_O.pdf>.



262

About the Author: Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired)

For the last five years of his military career, he served in UN appointments as Head of Mission of the United

Nations Truce Supervision Organization in the Middle east from 1998–2000 and as Military Adviser in the Department

of Peacekeeping Operations at UN Headquarters in New York from 2000–2002.

Since leaving the Defence Force, General Ford has continued to undertake significant overseas projects and

reviews for the United Nations, the Australian Government, and other international organizations on international

peace and security issues. Both throughout and following his military career, he has travelled to conflict areas and

contributed to a wide range of international seminars, training courses, and conferences as a keynote speaker and

presenter. He was a mentor for the UN Senior Mission Leadership courses from their inception in 2004 until 2011 and

has written on leadership in peace operations in several forums.

General Ford continues to be involved in the development of UN peace operations policy. He served as Chair of

the Board of the Peace Operations Training Institute from 2010–2017.

Major General Tim Ford is a retired soldier and peacekeeper now based in Sydney, Australia. During his forty-year military career, General Ford served in a wide variety of command, staff, and training appointments in Australia and overseas, including operational service in South vietnam.

General Ford

Documents

Leading Within United Nations Peace Operations › course_promos › leading › ...Course Author Major General Tim Ford, Australian Forces (Retired) Series Editor Harvey J. Langholtz,