It supports the efforts of the Secretary-General and Member States to maintain peace and ensure international security.

The DPO provides political and executive leadership for UN peacekeeping operations around the world.

It ensures the fulfilment of the mandates entrusted to it by the Security Council.

It establishes a privileged relationship with Security Council members, countries providing troops and/or financial resources, and parties to the conflict in each of the countries where it is called upon to intervene.

Furthermore, it works to integrate the efforts of the United Nations, government entities, and NGOs in the context of peacekeeping operations. In particular, it directs and supports the work of military contingents, police forces, and mine action in political and peacebuilding missions.

The origins of DPO date back to 1948, when the first UN peacekeeping missions were established: UNTSO and UNMOGIP. However, until the late 1980s, peacekeeping missions were managed by the UN Office of Political Affairs. The DPKO was officially created in 1992, when Boutros Boutros-Ghali took office as Secretary-General of the Organisation.

The DPO has four main offices:

1. Operations Office

It provides missions with strategic, political, and operational advice and support.

2. Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions

It coordinates the DPO’s activities in the areas of policing, justice, corrections, demining, DDR, and security sector reform.

3. Office of Military Affairs

It ensures that the most appropriate military resources are deployed to support the achievement of UN objectives. Its goal is to improve the performance and effectiveness of military contingents in UN peacekeeping missions.

4. Policy, Evaluation and Training Division

It provides assistance in the development of applicable policies and doctrines. It develops and organises training programs. It assesses the progress made by UN missions in fulfilling their mandates. It establishes operational frameworks governing strategic cooperation with UN and non-UN partners.

Head of Department

The current Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations is Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

Source : ONU  (UN.org)