Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations began in 1948 as a small group of observers sent to monitor the truce in the first Arab-Israeli War. The DPKO is currently responsible for 15 peacekeeping missions throughout the world and has, since 1948, been involved in 54 missions.

The DPKO is the department responsible for coordinating the peacekeeping missions authorized by the Security Council. The nature and depth of each mission is entirely contingent upon the mandate given by the Security Council. Tasks range from keeping hostile parties peacefully apart to helping them work peacefully together. This can include implementing peace agreements, monitoring ceasefires, creating buffer zones, and, increasingly, creating political institutions, working alongside governments, non-governmental organizations and local citizens' groups to provide emergency relief, demobilize former fighters and reintegrate them into society, clear mines, organize and conduct elections and promote sustainable development.

Member states are never compelled to provide troops for the use if peacekeeping operations.Troops are voluntered by willing nations and all soldiers remain under the control of their own governments. Sponsoring nations are responsible for disciplinary and personnel matters.

For analysis of UN peacekeeping and gender, click here.