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UN PEACEMAKER
DPPA MEDIATION SUPPORT

What's New

Guidance on Mediation of Ceasefires

The Guidance is designed to support United Nations senior leader- ship and staff, mediators, and facilitators within and outside the UN

Enhancing the quality and effectiveness of mediation efforts through human rights: DPPA-OHCHR Practice Note

This practice note, a DPPA-OHCHR collaboration, delves into practical strategies and real-world examples to help mediators and human rights practitioners weave human rights principles and considerations ...

The Implications of Climate Change for Mediation and Peace Processes

Climate change effects are felt in every corner of the world...

Responsible and credible mediation efforts require good preparation and timely and specialized mediation support. As part of UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs’ peacemaking and preventive diplomacy efforts, the Mediation Support Unit (MSU) engages in a wide range of activities including operational support to preventative diplomacy and mediation processes, developing mediation guidance and best practices and strengthening the mediation capacity of partners. It is a service provider to a wide range of actors, including the UN, regional organizations, Member States and relevant peacemaking entities.

Areas of Work

A group of participants at an intra-community dialogue
Mediation
and Process Design

Mediation process design is the formulation of a plan or a strategy on the approach and organization of the mediation.
Senior officials shaking hands
Gender, Women Peace and Security

Mediation strategies that systematically include women, and civil society more broadly, are more likely to generate ownership and support.
Outstretched hands holding munitions
Ceasefires and Security Arrangements

Providing strategic guidance, operational support and undertaking capacity building initiatives with respect to negotiation or mediation of ceasefires and security arrangements.
Abstract artwork of groups of people making peace
Peace Agreement Database and Language of Peace Tool

Search over 1,300 peace agreements and compare language on key issues across 75,000+ provisions.
The front cover of the United Nations Charter
Constitutions

Peace processes often confront conflict issues that have deep constitutional relevance and which require related technical expertise.
An abstract image of a hand reaching towards a digital outline of the globe
Digital Technologies

Digital technologies are increasingly impacting the character of conflict and the practice of mediation.
A man addresses a group of participants at a local community mediation
Local and Subnational Mediation

Understanding conflict at the local and subnational levels is of critical importance for the development of comprehensive and effective mediation and peacemaking.
Former Secretary General Kofi Annan speaking with Desmond Tutu, Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa
Transitional Justice, Reconciliation and Human Rights

Supporting UN mediators and partners confronting questions of justice and reconciliation during peace processes.
Secretary General António Guterres standing with youth participants at a high level event
Youth, Peace and Security and Mediation

Youth participation can increase the legitimacy and sustainability of peace processes.
Landscape of a river in rural Afghanistan
Climate Change and Mediation

Developing the practice of climate-informed mediation to help parties find a peaceful and sustainable solution to their disputes. 
A group of people at a meeting
Religion and Mediation

Religious actors are present in most conflict settings and often possess the moral authority and convening power to engage conflict parties.
Journalists recording a declaration from speaker
What's New
Mediation 
Support Unit

MSU is a central hub for UN mediation support and oversees the Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisors.

Mediation Resources

UN guidance material and related documents for setting up and managing mediation initiatives.

Mandate

UN mediators work on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations and relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

Networks

Several cooperative mechanisms and networks have been established to promote more professional and better coordinated mediation efforts.