Explainer: UN peace operations work to create, preserve peace

Supporting the first democratic elections after brutal civil wars in Mozambique and Cambodia. Disarming thousands of child soldiers in Sierra Leone. Helping to secure Namibia’s independence from South Africa. These are some of the contributions of UN operations around the world to help countries transition from conflict to lasting peace.As the world faces the highest number of conflicts since 1945 and a rising death toll from war alongside peace operations increasingly deployed to contain violence rather than implement agreements, the UN and its Member States must adapt to ensure these missions remain relevant, Secretary-General António Guterres told the General Assembly on Wednesday.“UN peace operations are indispensable tools for maintaining international peace and security, but to be more effective, they must adapt to new realities,” Mr. Guterres said.At UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General presented the first ever review on the future of all forms of UN peace operations at the request of the landmark Pact for the Future and offered recommendations for the consideration of Member States on how the UN toolbox can be adapted to meet evolving needs and future challeng...