
Who we are
As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) worldwide. Present in 131 countries where UN operates, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing resources.
Our Mission
We enable United Nations system operations through trusted security leadership and solutions.
Our Vision
Security for the UN, for a better world.
Understanding UN Security
The United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) enables the activities of UNSMS organizations within acceptable levels of security risk. The UNSMS unites over 50 member organizations, with a primary objective of facilitating the operations of these entities while maintaining an acceptable level of security. Fifteen of these members serve as key decision-makers within the Inter-Agency Security Management Network (IASMN), which is an integral part of the UNSMS. Within this framework, the UNSMS plays a pivotal role in guiding, supporting, and acting as recipients of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) services.
Read UNDSS News

Mister President, Members of the Security Council, In March of this year in Goma, a drone hit a home, killing a UNICEF colleague. In November 2025, a Haitian colleague working for WHO was killed in Port au Prince in an attempted kidnapping. In May of 2024, in Gaza, a tank fired at a UNDSS vehicle, killing one of our colleagues and severely injuring another.

As more than 70 countries prepare for national elections in 2026 — many in regions where voting day can trigger violence — Myanmar's experience offers a case study in how international organizations can maintain operations when the ground is shifting beneath them. Read more

For Syrian families returning home after years in Lebanon, crossing the Joussieh Border Crossing Point (BCP) is more than a journey, it’s a step toward rebuilding their lives. These returns are facilitated by humanitarian teams who coordinate movements to ensure their safety and order. Read more
Watch UNDSS videos
Behind Every UN Operation
United Nations Security Explained 2