UN Peacekeeping
Protecting lives, building futures
The Since 1948, UN Peacekeeping has been one of the most globally recognized symbols of the world’s ability to come together to help countries move from conflict to peace.
Through 77 years of service and sacrifice, the iconic "Blue Helmet" has become a symbol of hope for millions of people caught in conflict. Peacekeepers can be soldiers, police officers, engineers, doctors, human rights advocates, environmental scientists, and a tapestry of other experts who actively weave the fabric of sustainable peace.
They empower democratic voices through fair elections, champion fundamental human rights, dismantle conflict by disarming and reintegrating former combatants, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need, guide the fragile return of refugees and displaced communities, fortify the pillars of the rule of law and, above all, protect vulnerable civilians.
Awarded the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize for its pivotal contribution, UN Peacekeeping's legacy continues to adapt to global realities and threats, remaining an agile force shaping international relations and offering a vital lifeline to millions affected by war.
The enduring legacy of the more than two million peacekeepers, who have served in over 70 missions under the UN flag, lies in the lives saved and the futures rebuilt, not just the conflicts contained.
Learn more about UN Peacekeeping.
UN Peacekeeping saves lives
UN Peacekeeping is a vital tool that protects civilians from violence, facilitates the delivery of lifesaving aid and creates safer environments in conflict and disaster zones.
In Haiti, a disaster-prone country, peacekeepers were on the frontlines, providing immediate security and crucial logistics support for aid delivery, following the 2010 earthquake, which tragically claimed the lives of over 100 peacekeepers.
In southern Lebanon, Blue Helmets facilitate humanitarian access and conduct bomb removal operations.
In South Sudan, when violence erupted in 2013 and 2016, peacekeepers protected hundreds of thousands of people within their compound. They continue to help communities cope with climate shocks by building dikes and roads across new flood plains, connecting people to markets and essential services.
“We are saving people not from bullets but floods,” explained Captain Taimoor Ahmed, an engineer with the mission in South Sudan.
From Cambodia to Liberia, and Sierra Leone to Timor-Leste, they oversaw the realization of major ceasefires and peace agreements following devastating civil wars, significantly contributing to many countries' transitions to peace, preventing a relapse into widespread conflict.
Learn more about UN Peacekeeping’s Protection of Civilians mandate.
Caption: Medics at the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti help a young patient injured during the 2010 earthquake.
UN Peacekeeping advances political solutions
Understanding that lasting peace in conflict-affected regions hinges on political settlements, UN Peacekeeping proactively utilizes diverse methods to foster political solutions.
In Cambodia, from 1992 to 1993, peacekeepers managed a complex post-civil war transition by disarming former combatants, repatriating refugees, organizing free and fair elections and laying the groundwork for a new government and civil administration.
In Namibia, peacekeepers secured a historic election by establishing over 2,000 registration sites and providing extensive electoral support, enabling Namibians' first vote in 1989. The resulting 97 percent turnout paved the way for the country’s independence and UN membership.
The UN-supported 2011 referendum that granted South Sudan independence saw peacekeepers remain to help the world's newest nation establish sustainable peace and long-term state institutions. South Sudan soon became the UN's 193rd member, illustrating the UN's significant role in facilitating political transformations toward self-determination and statehood.
Learn more about UN Peacekeeping’s work in advancing political solutions to conflict.
Caption: The UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia oversees the voluntary repatriation of Cambodians returning from refugee camps in Thailand aboard a UN Refugee Agency train.
UN Peacekeeping is a symbol of solidarity
"Peacekeeping is multilateralism in action," states UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing its role in uniting over 120 nations since 1948 to provide collective security and support to countries in need.
From Namibia to Timor-Leste, and El Salvador to Côte d’Ivoire, peacekeepers have facilitated numerous transitions from war to peace. Many of these countries now contribute troops, leveraging their own experiences to build peace.
For example, Cambodia, which hosted peacekeepers, became a significant contributor, deploying over 8,000 personnel since 2006 and offering vital mine action expertise.
Peacekeeping promotes not only international partnership but also reconciliation and dialogue within nations, often bridging divided communities.
In Cyprus, their presence reduces tensions, improves intercommunal relations, and creates space for dialogue. Since 2003, peacekeepers have facilitated the opening of nine crossing points, connecting divided communities.
In Kosovo, peacekeepers foster trust and reconciliation among diverse ethnic communities by hosting dialogues and cultural events that connect people, especially youth.
Caption: A ceremony is held marking the official hand-over of policing responsibilities from the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste to the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste.
UN Peacekeeping empowers women and girls
Peacekeeping efforts are more effective at protecting local communities when they consider the unique needs, contributions, and perspectives of all people, especially women and girls, as emphasized in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
Employing women in all roles within peacekeeping operations—particularly in leadership—significantly enhances their effectiveness. Women peacekeepers serve in diverse functions, including patrols, security checkpoints, intelligence gathering, law enforcement, and community engagement, often representing a beacon of hope for many local girls and women.
In Liberia, all-female police units served as powerful role models, contributing to a significant increase in local women joining the Liberian national security forces. “These women want to emulate you in the way you’ve served this country,” said the then Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson as they departed in 2016.
In the Central African Republic, peacekeepers have conducted outreach programmes, including self-defence training for women and girls, to enhance their safety and security. In South Sudan, peacekeepers collaborated with local women’s groups to advocate for their participation in peace talks.
Achieving gender parity in peacekeeping, especially among leaders and uniformed personnel, has been a top priority for the UN. The organization, reliant on member countries for military and police contingents, has launched several initiatives to urge and incentivize troop- and police-contributing countries to deploy more women peacekeepers.
While progress has been made, it has been slow, particularly within military contingents. Between 1957 and 1989, only 20 uniformed women served in peacekeeping. As of January 2025, this number has risen to over 6,200. However, of more than 61,000 uniformed peacekeepers, less than 10 percent are women.
Learn more about the WPS agenda.
Caption: The UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s first all-women foot patrol to engage with other women in the local community.
UN Peacekeeping promotes justice and the rule of law
Peacekeepers actively promote the rule of law and justice in conflict-affected areas through a range of crucial activities.
They support the rebuilding and reform of essential institutions like police forces, courts, and correctional facilities by providing training, resources, and technical expertise, thereby enhancing their capacity and accountability.
Beyond strengthening institutions and promoting accountability, peacekeepers actively work to protect human rights by monitoring situations, preventing violations and advocating for the integration of human rights standards into national laws and practices.
Peacekeepers often facilitate dialogue and reconciliation between communities in conflict, creating platforms to address grievances and build trust, which are fundamental for establishing a society governed by the rule of law and principles of justice.
With crucial support from the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, a mobile court in Leer County recently broke through a decade-long silence of justice, addressing murder, forced marriage, and sexual and gender-based violence cases, offering long-awaited accountability to the community.
In 2018, peacekeepers in Haiti partnered with the government to establish the country's Court of First Instance which included the appointment of female judges and dedicated sessions specifically designed to tackle a backlog of cases and the prolonged pre-trial detention of women.
Learn more about UN Peacekeeping’s work in building rule of law and security institutions.
Caption: UN Police officers engage with communities in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to better understand their needs.
UN Peacekeeping is cost-effective
UN peacekeeping is not only a lifesaving tool — it is a smart investment.
Peacekeepers have supported transitions from war to peace in many countries since 1948 at a fraction of what military activities have cost worldwide.
With a budget shared by all 193 UN Member States and representing a tiny fraction of global military spending (US$2.7 trillion) — around 0.5 per cent — UN Peacekeeping remains one of the most effective and cost-effective tools to build international peace and security.
Moreover, the cost of deploying and maintaining peacekeepers is often far less than the economic devastation caused by prolonged conflict, including the destruction of infrastructure, displacement of populations and loss of productivity.
According to the independent Global Peace Index, wars cost the world nearly US$20 trillion in 2023. That’s over 13 per cent of global GDP or an estimated US$2,380 per person.
By containing violence and creating a more stable environment, peacekeeping facilitates economic recovery and allows for sustainable development, ultimately yielding long-term economic benefits that far outweigh the initial costs of the peacekeeping operation.
In essence, peacekeeping is not merely an expenditure but a proactive measure that yields significant returns in terms of human lives saved, stability achieved, and the foundations laid for lasting peace and prosperity.
Find out more about how UN Peacekeeping is funded and Member States’ latest pledges made at the recent MInisterial meeting in Berlin.
Caption: A peacekeeper with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Mission in Mali searched for landmines and other improvised explosive devices.
UN Peacekeeping keeps communities informed
Radio has played a vital role in peacekeeping missions since the late 1980s as a powerful communications and community outreach tool.
Today, three peacekeeping missions have their own radio stations – Radio Miraya in South Sudan, Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guira FM in the Central African Republic.
Civilian peacekeepers who are radio producers and communications personnel use radio for vital news, early warnings about potential threats, and discussions on pertinent issues and educational programmes that empower communities to make informed decisions.
Moreover, radio stations provide an invaluable platform for local voices and perspectives, helping to foster reconciliation between divided communities.
Radio receivers and frequencies are relatively inexpensive and widely available, even in the most remote areas. In places with low literacy rates, radio programmes can reach a wider audience, fostering more inclusive information sharing. Radio stations can also provide information in local languages in real time.
Given its reach, radio is a reliable tool to counter misinformation and dispel harmful rumours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Radio Miraya, which reaches two thirds of South Sudan, ran programmes to help counter the local population’s resistance to physical distancing.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Radio Okapi worked with the government to provide on-air education to roughly 22 million children who could not leave their homes, transmitting essential French, math and reading lessons.
Learn about the impact of UN Peacekeeping radio stations.
Caption: A radio producer working for the UN Mission in South Sudan’s Radio Miraya.
Stories of impact
From the frontlines of peace
Five practical tools for keeping peace
Peacekeepers use many tools to keep and nurture peace in the world's most fragile places. What innovations help them protect the communities that they serve?
Why mine action matters?
More than 25 years have passed since the Mine Ban Treaty was established and the UN Mine Action Service was created. Millions of landmines have been successfully removed, but significant challenges remain.
UN Police: A visual explainer
The United Nations partners with police services globally to maintain international peace and security. We look at one of the vital partnerships - UN Police - and why it matters.
UN Chief: Time to give peace a fighting chance
Conflicts are intensifying. Trust in global cooperation is weakening. The world cannot shortchange peacekeepers and the communities and people who depend on their lifesaving work.
Five ways UN Peacekeeping promotes human rights
UN peacekeeping works with communities, partners and host governments to promote human rights. It is a fundamental part of its efforts to address the roots of conflict.
Five ways UN Peacekeeping protects the planet
Learn how UN peacekeepers in missions around the world work to address climate and security risks, and mitigate the carbon-footprint of peace operations.
