Omar Bennett
Preventive diplomacy refers to diplomatic action taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of conflicts when they occur. The concept has captivated the United Nations since it was first introduced by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. It is conducted in various forms, including public and private fora, but the most common expression of preventive diplomacy is seen in the work of envoys sent to crisis areas to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution. The United Nations has a network of entities operating across a wide range of disciplines, including poverty eradication and development, to support preventive diplomacy.
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What You'll Learn
Preventing disputes from escalating into conflicts
Preventive diplomacy is a diplomatic action taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of conflicts when they occur. The United Nations (UN) has been captivated by the idea of preventive diplomacy since it was first articulated by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. Preventive diplomacy was foreshadowed by Article 99 of the United Nations Charter, which allows the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Security Council any issues that could threaten international peace and security.
The UN's Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) is the principal support structure for preventive diplomacy efforts. The DPPA provides conflict analysis, planning, and support to peace envoys, as well as overseeing field-based special political missions to help countries and regions resolve conflicts and tensions peacefully. The Secretary-General plays a crucial role in preventive diplomacy by offering their "good offices" to parties in conflict, both personally and through diplomatic envoys dispatched to areas of tension.
Preventive diplomacy can take various forms and can be conducted in public or private settings. The most common form is the deployment of envoys to crisis areas to encourage dialogue, compromise, and the peaceful resolution of tensions. It can also involve the Security Council, the Secretary-General, and other actors to discourage the use of violence at critical moments. For example, Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim successfully employed preventive diplomacy in the border disputes between Iran and Iraq in the 1960s and during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War by swiftly dispatching UN peacekeepers to control the situation.
In recent years, the Security Council has shown increased engagement and flexibility in addressing emerging threats before they formally appear on its agenda. This sends important signals that help discourage violence and open up space for preventive action. The UN's work in conflict prevention extends beyond traditional preventive diplomacy and involves a range of entities operating in areas such as poverty eradication, development, and human rights. Regional organizations, NGO networks, and individual states can also implement preventive diplomacy actions. For instance, the UN's first preventive action was the peacekeeping mission in Macedonia (UNPREDEP) from 1995 to 1999.
Preventive diplomacy has proven effective in averting mass violence and destruction in the past, and it continues to be a crucial tool for maintaining global peace and security.
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Limiting the spread of conflicts
Preventive diplomacy is a practice that has been used by the United Nations (UN) to limit the spread of conflicts. It involves diplomatic actions taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and to contain conflicts when they do occur. This can be done through various means, in both public and private fora, with the most common expression being the dispatch of envoys to crisis areas to encourage dialogue, compromise, and peaceful resolution.
The UN's Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) plays a crucial role in supporting these efforts. The DPPA provides conflict analysis, planning, and support to peace envoys, as well as overseeing field-based special political missions aimed at helping countries and regions resolve conflicts and tensions peacefully. The Secretary-General's "good offices" are also utilized, where they personally or through diplomatic envoys, assist parties in conflict to settle disputes peacefully.
The UN Security Council, as the principal organ responsible for peace and security, is actively involved in preventive diplomacy. The Council's engagement and flexibility in addressing emerging threats before they formally appear on its agenda are crucial. By taking early action, the Council can send signals that discourage violence and create opportunities for preventive action by the Secretary-General.
In addition to the work of the DPPA and the Security Council, the UN also engages in preventive diplomacy through its peacekeeping missions. These missions, such as the one in Macedonia (UNPREDEP) from 1995 to 1999, are designed to prevent conflicts and limit their spread. The UN also collaborates closely with regional partners, as seen in the successful border dispute resolution between Iran and Iraq in the 1960s, and during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, where UN peacekeepers played a crucial role in containing the situation.
The practice of preventive diplomacy has proven effective in averting mass violence and destruction, and it continues to be a critical tool for the UN in its pursuit of global peace and security.
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The role of the Security Council
Preventive diplomacy is a cornerstone of the UN's mission. It involves taking action to prevent disputes from arising between parties, to stop existing disputes from escalating into conflicts, and to limit the spread of conflicts when they occur.
The UN Charter mandates effective measures to prevent and remove threats to peace, with the Security Council bearing primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security. The Security Council plays a crucial role in preventive diplomacy by addressing conflict and advancing sustainable development through its subsidiary bodies, such as the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission.
The Security Council has the authority to adopt resolutions that are binding on all Member States, providing a powerful tool for conflict prevention and management. It can authorize the deployment of peacekeeping operations, sanctions, and other measures to address threats to international peace and security.
The Council also works closely with the Secretary-General, who has the power, under Article 99 of the UN Charter, to bring to the Council's attention any matter that may threaten international peace and security. The Secretary-General can gather information, establish contacts, and send emissaries to contain and prevent crises.
Additionally, the Security Council coordinates with other UN bodies, such as the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice, to promote international peace and security. It also engages with regional organizations and Member States to implement preventive diplomacy measures, such as early warning systems, rapid response funding mechanisms, and the use of special envoys.
The Security Council's role in preventive diplomacy is essential to maintaining international peace and security, and its actions complement the efforts of other UN bodies and regional organizations working towards the same goal.
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The role of the Secretary-General
Preventive diplomacy is a concept that has captivated the United Nations since it was first articulated by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. It refers to diplomatic action taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of conflicts when they occur. The Secretary-General plays a crucial role in preventive diplomacy, both personally and through the diplomatic envoys he dispatches to areas of tension.
The Secretary-General provides his "good offices" to parties in conflict, offering support and advice to help settle disputes peacefully. This involves monitoring global political developments and using diplomatic channels to encourage dialogue, compromise, and the peaceful resolution of tensions. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) serves as the principal support structure for these efforts, providing conflict analysis, planning, and backing the work of peace envoys.
The Secretary-General's diplomatic efforts can take various forms, both public and private. They may include direct appeals, as demonstrated by Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, or the discreet fact-finding mission sent to Bulgaria and Turkey in 1989 by Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar. The Secretary-General may also submit reports to the General Assembly on preventive diplomacy, as done by Ban Ki-moon, who provided courageous leadership on the issue of global climate change.
Additionally, the Secretary-General works closely with the Security Council, which has the primary responsibility for peace and security within the UN. The Council's engagement and flexibility in addressing emerging threats are crucial in supporting preventive action. Through their collective actions, they send important signals that help discourage violence and open up space for preventive diplomacy.
The Secretary-General also plays a role in fostering diplomacy of democracy and human rights at the country level. This includes spearheading the roles of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Advisers on the Responsibility to Protect and the Prevention of Genocide.
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The role of regional partners
Preventive diplomacy refers to diplomatic action taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of conflicts when they occur. Since the end of the Cold War, the international community has increasingly focused on preventive diplomacy, recognising its benevolence. The United Nations (UN) works closely with regional partners and has been successful in this regard.
For example, the UN has regional conflict prevention centres in some parts of the world, such as West Africa and Central Asia. These centres are responsible for strengthening the capacity of states and regional actors to manage sources of tension peacefully. The UN has also carried out preventive diplomacy within the context of peacekeeping missions, such as in Macedonia (UNPREDEP) from 1995 to 1999, which was its first preventive action.
Additionally, the Security Council, as the UN organ with primary responsibility for peace and security, plays a critical role in supporting preventive action. The Council's engagement and flexibility in addressing emerging threats before they escalate have increased in recent years, sending important signals that discourage violence and open space for preventive action.
The Secretary-General also has a vital role in preventive diplomacy, providing their "good offices" to help parties in conflict settle disputes peacefully. They can dispatch envoys to crisis areas to encourage dialogue, compromise, and peaceful resolutions, as well as gather information and establish contacts to identify potential threats to peace and security.
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Frequently asked questions
Preventive diplomacy refers to diplomatic action taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of conflicts when they occur.
Preventive diplomacy actions can be implemented by the UN, regional organisations, NGO networks, and individual states.
Some examples of preventive diplomacy include the UN peacekeeping mission in Macedonia (UNPREDEP) in 1995–1999, and Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar's discreet fact-finding mission to Bulgaria and Turkey in 1989.
Preventive diplomacy has averted mass violence and destruction in the past, and is perceived as benevolent as it can help reduce the high costs of managing conflicts.
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