Peacekeeping missions are facing an increasingly fast-paced, complex and dangerous environment, with transnational and asymmetric threats posing serious risks to peacekeepers and civilians. This was particularly evident in Mali in the 2010s, where peacekeeping missions in Mali faced unprecedented security threats to both the people they protected and the peacekeepers themselves. During the mission's 10-year tenure, 174 peacekeepers died in malicious attacks while trying to protect Malian civilians, and thousands of civilians also died in these conflicts.
Information collection and analysis were identified as key to countering these threats. Following consultations with Member States, UN peacekeeping operations, intelligence experts and wider stakeholders, the first policy on peacekeeping intelligence was issued in 2017 (and revised in 2019), and a new term and concept was created: peacekeeping intelligence. Peacekeeping intelligence is now a key tool to help UN peacekeeping operations operate safely and effectively.
What is peacekeeping intelligence?
Peacekeeping intelligence involves acquiring, processing and analysing information to enable missions to enhance the safety and security of UN personnel and to inform actions related to the protection of civilians. It enables missions to better understand the environment and context in which they operate, maintain a strategic overview of developments, and anticipate specific threats and opportunities, allowing peacekeepers to carry out their mandates effectively. For example, peacekeeping intelligence can provide information on the movements of armed groups to help missions better anticipate and prevent attacks, or identify threats to the safety of peacekeepers, patrols and convoys. It continuously adapts to new environments, new threats and new technologies.
Peacekeeping intelligence differs from other forms of intelligence in that it must respect UN rules and ensure national sovereignty. This is clearly stated in the unique guiding principles of peacekeeping intelligence:
- Following the rules : Peacekeeping intelligence activities are conducted in accordance with Security Council mandates, the UN Charter and relevant legal frameworks. This includes human rights standards and obligations to protect the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
- Uncovered activities : Covert activities are those where the means of obtaining information or intelligence are designed to ensure confidentiality or concealment of the activities, which are not covered by peacekeeping intelligence because of their illegal nature and/or incompatible with the legal framework, principles, policies and mandates of UN peacekeeping operations.
- Areas of application : Access to information may only be used to enhance situational awareness and the safety and security of United Nations personnel and to inform actions and activities related to the protection of civilians.
- Respect for National Sovereignty : The sovereignty of nations, including host and neighbouring nations, must be respected.
- Independence : Peacekeeping intelligence activities must be independent of any national intelligence system.
- Accountability, competence and authority : Those who make decisions regarding peacekeeping intelligence must be competent to carry out their functions and must be held accountable for adhering to guiding policies.
- Security and Confidentiality : Peacekeeping intelligence is disclosed only to trusted individuals to ensure that it is not disseminated widely, particularly where disclosure could jeopardize the safety or security of any individual or group, infringe upon the rights or invade the privacy.
These principles reflect the UN’s commitment to enhancing the safety and security of peacekeepers and the protection of civilians, while respecting the UN Charter, peacekeeping principles and guidance from Member States.
Peacekeeping Intelligence Academy (PKIA)
The Peacekeeping Intelligence Academy was established in 2023 to develop the capacity of colleagues in the field who carry out peacekeeping intelligence activities. The Academy provides them with the necessary knowledge, skills and mindset to carry out their duties safely, efficiently and effectively. The Academy is currently funded by extrabudgetary contributions from Denmark, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
- The training includes how to conduct effective, gender-responsive and integrated peacekeeping intelligence among civilian, military and police personnel.
- Topics include peacekeeping intelligence fundamentals; military peacekeeping intelligence; open source peacekeeping intelligence; human peacekeeping intelligence; peacekeeping intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; early warning and key indicators; and driver-based scenario building. Additional courses are in development, such as geospatial peacekeeping intelligence and analytical techniques.
Training is delivered at the United Nations Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda, or hosted by Member States. Tailored training is provided in missions when peacekeeping operations require specialized support, and online training has been developed to provide basic knowledge to a wider audience, with more content to be added over time. Member States such as Austria, Brazil, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom support course development and training delivery.
The online courses for UN staff are listed below and have been made available to the public who are interested in learning more about how the UN approaches peacekeeping intelligence.
We are also working, with the support of Member States, to provide predeployment training for uniformed peacekeepers.
Interested in learning more about Peacekeeping Intelligence? Email the team at pict@un.org . Want to learn more about the Peacekeeping Intelligence Academy? Email pkia@un.org .