From Darfur, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Liberia, to the Middle East, Central Asia, East Timor and Haiti, the heads of the United Nations Peace Operations from around the world gathered in Switzerland 21 to 23 November for the annual Seminar for Special and Personal Representatives and Envoys of the Secretary-General organized by UNITAR in association with the UN System Staff College. The overall purpose of the Seminar is to refine UN practice and enhance the work of UN Peace Operations around the world.

    The forty-seven officials participating in the Seminar included the majority of the full-time Special and Personal Representatives and Envoys of the Secretary-General and the senior-most staff in the United Nations responsible for the prevention and resolution of conflict, humanitarian affairs and human rights. The UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, General Obasanjo, also took part in the Seminar and addressed the group on the issue of regional approaches to peacemaking.   The UN Secretary-General engaged by video conference in a dialogue session with his Representatives on the final day of the meeting. In his communication, the Secretary-General stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the UN’s efforts in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding to meet the rising demand for crucial work in these areas. The Seminar was followed by Departmental Heads of Mission conferences to delve further into the issues and priority areas resulting from the Seminar.   To know more about the Programme in Peacemaking and Conflict Prevention click here.   Click here to link to the UN News Centre.