UNDSS Mandate & Legal Framework

A man sitted talking over a tabletop microphone
UN Secretary-General António Guterres during a presser in Nairobi UNDSS / Chris Kariyo

UNDSS enables the planning and safe conduct of mandates, missions, activities, and programmes of the United Nations system. UNDSS is present in over 125 countries. Security is crucial to all UN programmes, so UNDSS works wherever the UN has a footprint. The two documents below provide detailed information on the background that necessitated the establishment of UNDSS.

  • A/59/365 Strengthened and unified security management system for the United Nations.
  • A/RES/59/276 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 December 2004.

Security-Related UN Conventions & Framework

UN Security is underpinned by five main legal documents, outlining the responsibilities of all stakeholders:

  1. United Nations Charter – articles 104 and 105
  2. Conventions on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946 and 1947)
  3. Convention on Safety and Security of United Nations Personnel and Associated Personnel (1994) – Optional Protocol (2005)
  4. Annual Resolutions of the General Assembly on Safety and Security of UN personnel and associated personnel, also (Corr.1), and (Corr.2)
  5. United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) Security Policy Manual
A multitude of people behind two vehicles in a dusty area
UN vehicles surrounded by people fleeing a crisis UN photo / JC McIlwaine