Through peacemaking, preventive diplomacy and a host of other means, the United Nations works to prevent and resolve deadly conflict around the globe and to promote lasting peace in societies emerging from wars.

The Department of Political Affairs plays a central role in these efforts: monitoring and assessing global political developments; advising the U.N. Secretary-General on actions that could advance the cause of peace; providing support and guidance to U.N. peace envoys and political missions in the field; and serving Member States directly through electoral assistance and through the support of DPA staff to the work of the Security Council and other U.N. bodies.

In carrying out these and other core functions, DPA contributes to U.N. efforts worldwide that span the spectrum from conflict prevention to peacemaking to post-conflict peace building.

Political Analysis

Effective policy responses begin with sound and timely information and analysis.

Through the work of its regional divisions, DPA regularly provides the Secretary-General with analytical reports and briefing notes that aim to inform his decisions and shape his continuous diplomacy with U.N. Member States, non-governmental organizations and others. DPA strives to help the Secretary-General to detect and respond to potential crises before they erupt.

Peacemaking and preventive diplomacy

DPA is the lead U.N. department for peacemaking and preventive diplomacy.

Where the Secretary-General’s “good offices” are employed to help bring warring parties toward peace or to prevent political and armed conflicts from escalating, DPA is typically working behind the scenes to define and plan the mission, and to provide U.N. special envoys and mediators with guidance and backing from headquarters.
Where U.N. peacekeepers are deployed it is usually after a successful peacemaking effort involving or supported by the United Nations.


Electoral Assistance

The Department of Political Affairs is also the focal point for electoral assistance by the United Nations, evaluating requests from Member States and ensuring consistency in the delivery of services by the different U.N. agencies and departments involved. This is a growing area of responsibility and expertise, as elections occupy an increasingly important place in peace processes and political transitions aimed ending bloodshed or preventing disputes from escalating.

Servicing the Security Council and other U.N. bodies

DPA provides other important services to U.N. Member States.
The U.N. Security Council, in carrying out its crucial functions, relies on staff of the Department of Political Affairs for substantive and secretariat support.

DPA provides similar staff support to two standing committees established by the General Assembly, concerning the Rights of the Palestinian People and Decolonization.

The role of the Under-Secretary General

Established in 1992, DPA is headed by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe . The Under-Secretary manages the department, advises the Secretary-General on matters affecting global peace and security, and provides guidance to his envoys and political missions in the field.

The Under-Secretary-General also serves on the Secretary-General’s Policy Committee, the highest decision-making body within the U.N. Secretariat, and chairs the Executive Committee on Peace and Security, a high-level body for interagency and interdepartmental coordination. Where complex crises require contributions from a range of U.N. entities, DPA is often called upon to establish an overarching political framework within which political, developmental and humanitarian action can go forth.

Staff Worldwide

In addition to its roughly 250 professional and administrative staff at U.N. headquarters in New York, DPA draws from the work of Special Political Missions and Peace-Building Support Offices under its supervision, employing more than 1,700 national and international staff in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

DPA’s field presence enriches its political analysis and provides a forward platform for good offices missions and other preventive initiatives – the latter developed often in conjunction with U.N. development, humanitarian and human rights entities on the ground, as well as with civil society.

The peace-building support offices managed by DPA are an illustration of the Department’s role since 1997 as the designated United Nations focal point for peace building.