The concept of peacekeeping is not specifically mentioned as such
anywhere in the Charter
of the United Nations. It evolved as a pragmatic solution
in the early years of the Organization when it became apparent
that some of the Charter provisions relating to the maintenance
of international peace and security could not be implemented as
envisaged. The first operation, the United
Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), was created
in 1948 to supervise the truce called for by the Security Council
in Palestine. An overview of UN peacekeeping activities is provided
by the listings of past and current operations posted on the website of the Department
of Peacekeeping Operations.
As a rule, peacekeeping operations are established
by the Security Council, the organ designated by the Charter
as primarily responsible for the maintenance of peace and security;
the financial aspects of peacekeeping, on the other hand, are
considered by the General Assembly. This guide aims to provide
an overview of the primary documentation in both organs relating
to the creation and execution of peacekeeping operations and to
outline the research options available.
The Security Council discusses the political aspects of peacekeeping
operations. The actions of the Council, as well as all related
documentation, can be traced through the Index to Proceedings
of the Security Council, published on an annual basis. Researchers
may also consult UNBISnet (the webcatalog of the UN Library in New York) as well as the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).
Through resolutions, the Security Council establishes
peacekeeping operations, determines their mandates (including all
required revisions and extensions thereto) and authorizes the deployment
of troops, as well as any increase or reduction in troop strength
as the situation demands.
Security Council resolutions are first published
as individual documents under the series symbol S/RES/[sequential
number] (year) (e. g., which established MINURCA, the United Nations Mission
in the Central African Republic). Further information about
Security Council resolutions
and the topics they cover is
available in this Research Guide.
Complete listings of resolutions relating to
recent peacekeeping operations can be retrieved from the UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., resolutions concerning
MONUA, the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola).
Compared to resolutions, presidential statements
constitute a less formal expression of the will of the Security
Council. In these statements the President may, on behalf of the
Council, call upon the parties involved in a conflict to work towards
a peaceful settlement of the dispute, express the concern of the
Council for the deterioration of the security situation within a
region, reaffirm the importance of negotiated agreements and stress
the obligation of the parties to ensure their implementation.
Presidential statements are now published under
the series symbol S/PRST/[year]/[sequential number] (e. g.,
which deals with UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon). Further information about presidential statements
and the topics they cover is
available in this Research Guide.
Complete listings of presidential statements
relating to recent peacekeeping operations can be retrieved
from the UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., presidential statements
concerning UNMEE, the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and
Eritrea).
The full
text of presidential statements (1994 onwards) can be accessed
from the UN website. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide links to the
same material and additionally to a substantial number of pre-1994 presidential statements.
Resolutions and presidential statements are adopted/presented
at formal meetings of the Security Council. Speeches made before
the Council at these meetings are indexed on an annual basis in
the Index to Proceedings
of the Security Council and can be researched by subject, speaker
and country/organization. UNBISnet
provides electronic access to citations
for speeches made in the Security Council since the 38th year (1983). Preparatory work for formal meetings is conducted in closed informal
consultations for which no public records are issued.
Verbatim records are published under the series
symbol S/PV.[meeting number] (e. g.,
which deals with UNDOF, the United Nations Disengagement Observer
Force). Further information about meeting
records and the topics they cover is
available in this Research Guide.
Complete listings of meeting records relating
to recent peacekeeping operations can be retrieved from the
UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., meetings concerning
MONUC, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo).
The full
text of meeting records (1994 onwards) can be accessed through
this Research Guide. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide links to the same material and additionally to a substantial number of pre-1994 meeting records.
The Secretary-General submits reports to the Security
Council on peacekeeping issues as called for by resolutions. The
reports typically provide a factual account of the activities
of a mission within a given time period and additionally present
the Secretary-General's observations and recommendations for further
action which then form the basis for the Council's deliberations.
Reports of the Secretary-General to the Security
Council are issued under the general series symbol of the Council
which now follows the pattern S/[year]/[sequential number] (e.
g.,
which deals with MINURSO, the United Nations Mission for the
Referendum in Western Sahara).
Complete listings of the reports relating
to recent peacekeeping operations can be retrieved from the
UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., reports concerning
UNMIBH, the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina).
The full
text of Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council
(1994 onwards) can be accessed from the UN website. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide links to the same material and additionally to a substantial number of pre-1994 reports.
The issues dealt with by an exchange of letters between
the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council
typically include the appointment of a Special Representative/Chief
of Mission or Force Commander/Chief Military Observer as well as
the composition of a peacekeeping operation. The issuance of the
Secretary-General's letter containing the proposal is held back
until the Security Council has reviewed the matter. Both letters
(proposal and response) are then published at the same time with
document symbols in sequential order. The appointment of an individual
will, in most cases, be accompanied by a press release which provides
biographical information about the appointee. These press releases
are issued under the series symbol SG/A/- (Secretary-General's
appointments) or BIO/- (Biographical materials) or appear
in both series at the same time with a double symbol. They can be
retrieved through the search option at the UN
News Centre.
Appointment of a Special Representative/Chief
of Mission:
For example, in
the Secretary-General states his intention to appoint Mr. Tuliameni
Kalomoh as his Special Representative for Liberia;
contains the response of the Security Council; and press release
SG/A/631-BIO/3067
presents biographical data on the appointee.
The full text of the exchange of
letters between the Secretary-General and the President of the
Security Council (1997 onwards) can be accessed from the UN
website. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide links to the same material and additionally to a substantial number of pre-1997 letters.
Comprehensive listings for mission appointments
may be retrieved from the UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., information concerning Special
Representatives/Chiefs of Mission of UNOMIG, the United
Nations Observer Mission in Georgia).
Appointment of a Force Commander/Chief Military
Observer:
For example, in
the Secretary-General states his intention to appoint Major-General
David Stapleton to the post of Force Commander of the United
Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF);
contains the response of the Security Council; and press release
SG/A/636
presents biographical data on the appointee.
The full text of the exchange of
letters between the Secretary-General and the President of the
Security Council (1997 onwards) can be accessed from the UN
website. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide links to the same material and additionally to a substantial number of pre-1997 letters.
Comprehensive listings for mission appointments
may be retrieved from the UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., information concerning Chief Military Observers
of UNIKOM, the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission).
Composition of a peacekeeping operation:
For example, in
the Secretary-General proposes that China, Egypt, India, Kenya,
Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Zambia
be included in the list of countries contributing military personnel
to the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL)
and
contains the response of the Security Council.
The full text of the exchange of
letters between the Secretary-General and the President of the
Security Council (1997 onwards) can be accessed from the UN
website. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide links to the same material and additionally to a substantial number of pre-1997 letters.
Listings for the composition of recent missions
may be retrieved from the UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., information concerning the composition of UNTAC, the United
Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia).
The General Assembly discusses basic issues relating
to peacekeeping and its financing and authorizes the budget of individual
operations. The actions of the Assembly, as well as all related
documentation, can be traced through the Index to Proceedings
of the General Assembly, published on a sessional basis. Researchers may also consult UNBISnet (the webcatalog of the UN Library in New York) as well as the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).
Since 1965, general topics relating to peacekeeping
have been considered by the General Assembly under the agenda item
"Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations
in all their aspects". At each session since 1993, this item has
been allocated to the Fourth Committee, one of the six Main
Committees of the General Assembly (prior to 1993 it was discussed
by the Special Political Committee). The major document submitted
under this item is the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping
Operations.
The Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations
was established by General Assembly resolution of 18 February 1965 with the mandate to conduct a comprehensive
review of all issues relating to peacekeeping.
The Special Committee reports, as required,
to the General Assembly on its work (e. g., ).
A complete listing of these reports (1965 onwards) can be
retrieved from the UN-I-QUE database. The full text of recent reports is available through UNBISnet and and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).
Press releases, issued under the series
symbol GA/PK/-, can be retrieved through the search
option at the UN News Centre.
The Fourth Committee, one of the six Main
Committees of the General Assembly, considers the agenda item
on the comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations.
Working documents of the Committee are now
issued under the series symbol A/C.4/[session]/-. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide access to the full text of recent working documents.
Summary records of meetings are now issued
under the series symbol A/C.4/[session]/SR.[meeting number]
(e. g., :
Summary record of the 15th meeting of the Fourth Committee
during the 52nd session of the General Assembly on 10 November
1997). Speeches made before the Fourth Committee are indexed
on a sessional basis in the Index to Proceedings
of the General Assembly and can be researched by subject,
speaker and country/organization. UNBISnet
provides electronic access
to citations for speeches made before the Fourth Committee (or the Special Political Committee)
since the 38th session (1983). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved through UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).
Press releases, now issued under the series
symbol GA/SPD/-, can be retrieved through the search
option at the UN News Centre.
The Fourth Committee submits a report to the plenary
on the agenda item relating to the comprehensive review of peacekeeping
operations. This report (e. g., for the 57th session: )
synthesizes the Committee's deliberations on the item and transmits
the final version of draft resolutions/decisions recommended to
the plenary for adoption. The plenary considers the report and
votes on the draft resolutions/decisions contained therein. During
the 57th session, on 11 December 2002, the General Assembly adopted
resolution
based on the report of the Fourth Committee.
Basic financial issues
relating to peacekeeping are considered by the General Assembly
under the agenda item "Administrative and budgetary aspects of the
financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations". At each
session, this item is allocated to the Fifth Committee, one of the
six Main
Committees of the General Assembly. Topics currently discussed
under this item include, inter alia, implementation of the
report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, financial
performance report of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi
and the support account for peacekeeping operations. The major documents
submitted as the basis for the deliberations are the reports of
the Secretary-General as well as those of the Advisory Committee
on Administrative and Budgetary Questions.
The budgets of individual missions are considered
by the General Assembly under a separate agenda item per operation.
At each session, these items are allocated to the Fifth Committee.
The major documents submitted under these items are the reports
of the Secretary-General as well as those of the Advisory Committee
on Administrative and Budgetary Questions.
The Secretary-General submits
reports to the General Assembly on financial issues relating to
peacekeeping operations. The reports submitted for individual
missions typically provide information about the political mandate
and operational plan of the mission, the cost estimates and staffing
requirements for a given time period as well as recommendations
for actions to be taken by the General Assembly. These reports,
submitted under the series symbol of the plenary which now follows
the pattern A/[session]/[sequential number], form the basis for
the deliberations of the Fifth Committee.
Complete listings of the Secretary-General's
reports relating to recent peacekeeping operations can be
retrieved from the UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., reports concerning
the financing of UNAMSIL, the United Nations Mission in Sierra
Leone).
The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary
Questions was established by General Assembly resolution of of 13 February 1946 with the mandate to examine any
administrative and budgetary matters referred to it and to advise
the General Assembly on these issues. The Committee reviews all
reports of the Secretary-General on financial questions relating
to peacekeeping and submits its findings to the General Assembly.
The reports of the ACABQ, submitted under the series symbol of
the plenary which now follows the pattern A/[session]/[sequential
number], are discussed by the Fifth Committee.
Complete listings of ACABQ reports relating
to recent peacekeeping operations can be retrieved from the
UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., reports concerning
the financing ofUNAVEM I, II and III, the United Nations
Angola Verification Missions).
The Fifth Committee, one of the six Main
Committees of the General Assembly, is allocated all items
on the Assembly's agenda with financial implications.
Working documents of the Committee are now
issued under the series symbol A/C.5/[session]/-. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide access to the full text of recent working documents.
Summary records of meetings are now issued
under the series symbol A/C.5/[session]/SR.[meeting number]
(e. g., :
Summary record of the 17th meeting of the Fifth Committee
during the 52nd session of the General Assembly on 30 October
1997). Speeches made before the Fifth Committee are indexed
on a sessional basis in the Index to Proceedings
of the General Assembly and can be researched by subject,
speaker and country/organization. UNBISnet
provides electronic access
to citations for speeches made before the Fifth Committee
since the 38th session (1983). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved through UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).
Press releases, issued under the series symbol
GA/AB/-, can be retrieved through the search option
at the UN News Centre.
The Fifth Committee submits a separate report to
the plenary on every agenda item allocated to it. These reports
synthesize the Committee's consideration of the items and transmit
the final version of draft resolutions/decisions recommended to
the plenary for adoption. Since these reports become working documents
for the plenary, the Fifth Committee prefix (A/C.5/-) disappears
from their document symbols. They are instead submitted directly
under the basic symbol of the plenary (e. g., :
Report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 123 - Financing of
the United Nations Angola Verification Mission).
The plenary considers the reports of the Fifth Committee and
votes on the draft resolutions/decisions contained therein.
Since General Assembly resolutions and decisions often are not
printed until weeks - sometimes months - after their adoption,
the final draft as contained in the Committee report (sometimes
orally amended immediately prior to adoption) remains for a
long time the only source for the text of the resolution/decision.
Complete listings of Fifth Committee reports
(including all reports concerning peacekeeping), organized
by session, can be retrieved from the UN-I-QUE
database for the last two sessions of the General Assembly
(e. g., Fifth Committee reports for the 59th
session). This database also lists all Fifth Committee reports
relating to recent peacekeeping operations, organized by mission
(e. g., reports concerning
the financing of MONUC, the United Nations Organization Mission
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The full text of recent reports (55th session onwards) is accessible
from the UN Documentation
Centre. UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS) provide links to the same material and additionally to a substantial number of earlier reports.
The resolutions adopted by
the General Assembly at its 59th session on, among others,
the reports of the Fifth Committee (including resolutions
concerning peacekeeping) are recorded in this Research Guide.
Complete listings of General Assembly resolutions and decisions
relating to recent peacekeeping operations, organized by mission,
can be retrieved from the UN-I-QUE
database (e. g., resolutions and decisions
concerning the financing of UNTAET, the United Nations Transitional
Administration in East Timor). The full text of General Assembly resolutions (1946 onwards) is accessible
from the UN Documentation
Centre, UNBISnet and the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).
Peacekeeping
Documentation
A more comprehensive listing of United Nations
documents and publications on peacekeeping-related topics can
be identified through the UNBISnet
database. UNBISnet provides links to the full text of recent documentation. Subject terms which might prove useful in conducting
a search are: peacekeeping operations, peacemaking, peace-building,
preventive diplomacy, truce supervision, international police,
troop-contributing states, etc. Additional descriptors may be
identified through the UNBIS
Thesaurus.
Prepared
and maintained by the Department of Public Information (DPI), Dag
Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) . Comments as well as suggestions
for further additions/enhancements may be directed to the Dag
Hammarskjöld Library.
Introduction
