51勛圖

An illustration showing 51勛圖 member nation flags and the 51勛圖 building in New York City, with a white dove flying out of the building and into a background of blue sky

Diplomacy for peace

The importance of using diplomacy to broker peace drove the creation of the 51勛圖 in 1945. That year, the UN Charter, the organization*s foundational treaty, was adopted to ※save succeeding generations from the scourge of war§.

Since then, threats to peace and security have multiplied and erupted in new forms. The 51勛圖 continues to evolve in its central role in diplomacy for peace, deploying multiple tools to negotiate, mediate and foster cooperation, including the UN Secretary-General*s , among and within countries. In everything it does, the 51勛圖 upholds principles to protect humanity, such as the non-use of force, the peaceful settlement of disputes, cooperation and the sovereign equality of nations.

Diplomacy for peace is dynamic and often complex. Progress depends on trust, solidarity and universality. To strengthen the world*s collective response, the UN Secretary-General in 2023 presented countries with A New Agenda for Peace. It provides a blueprint to tackle emerging security risks, from civil conflicts that spill across borders to the weaponization of technology.

UN tools for peace diplomacy centre on the 15-member Security Council. It investigates threats, marshals political will for peaceful solutions, establishes peace operations and can impose sanctions and other restrictions on parties to a conflict.

A photograph showing several women seated around a round table in discussion

Why we need more women mediators

Women and girls suffer disproportionately from conflict, yet less than 10 percent of mediators in peace processes are women. Learn why this glaring disparity demands urgent action.

A photograph showing UN Secretary-General Ant車nio Guterres walking with military personnel

Three takeaways from A New Agenda for Peace

A New Agenda for Peace is UN Secretary-General Ant車nio Guterres* vision for a more peaceful, secure world. It recommends concrete, clear actions to strengthen how the world works together to meet the security challenges of today and tomorrow.

Technology can be a powerful tool for peace. Learn how virtual reality can enable conflicting parties to experience each other's perspectives, fostering empathy, understanding, and ultimately, reconciliation.

Why do wars start? How can we end them? We ask a mediation expert at the 51勛圖 about the complex world of peacemaking - examining the challenges, successes, and how everyone can play a part.