Briefing notes for the UN Resident Coordinators - RC Online - UNDG

www.un.org/depts/dpa09 August 20121. DPA Overview1.1 Role of the Department of Political AffairsOverviewThe Department of Political Affairs plays a central role in United Nations efforts to prevent and resolve deadly conflictaround the world.DPA monitors and assesses global political developments with an eye to detecting potential crises before they escalate,and devising effective responses. The Department provides close support to the Secretary-General and his envoys, aswell as to UN political missions deployed to areas of tension around the world with mandates to help defuse crises orpromote lasting solutions to conflict.With the support of UN Member States, DPA is evolving into a more mobile and agile platform for crisis response,capable of rapidly deploying mediators and other peacemaking expertise to the field and cooperating more closely withregional organizations at the frontlines of conflicts.The Department has other important functions that also contribute directly to UN efforts to promote peace and preventconflict. These include DPA’s role in coordinating United Nations electoral assistance activities, and in providing staffsupport to the UN Security Council and other bodies.Peacemaking and preventive diplomacyEstablished in 1992, DPA is the lead U.N. department forpeacemaking and preventive diplomacy.Where the Secretary-General’s diplomatic “good offices” areemployed to help bring warring parties toward peace or toprevent political and armed conflicts from escalating, DPA istypically working behind the scenes to define and plan themission and to provide guidance and backing to mediators.Where U.N. peacekeepers are deployed it is often after a successful peacemaking effort involving or supported by theUnited Nations.2