Missions & Mandates
What peace operations do
Ever since the first operation was established – the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) deployed in the Middle East since 1948 – international peace operations have developed rapidly, both in number and scope. While missions were initially given just limited tasks such as monitoring and verification, they now have wide remits with multiple tasks. But what exactly does protection of civilians – a current core task of peace operations – mean? To what end are traditional tasks such as monitoring and verification now pursued? And how are newer mandated tasks, including climate and environmental security or combating disinformation, implemented? Our glossary Missions & Mandates provides an overview over the current mandated tasks in AU, EU, NATO, OSCE and UN peace operations.
We have limited our presentation to the 25 most common areas of activity of international peace operations. As there are variations in the terminology used for mandated tasks, we have grouped them into categories. Where the terminology differs among EU, OSCE, UN and others, this is identified in the individual glossaries.