As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) worldwide. Present in 131 countries where UN operates, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing resources.

UNDSS is born

A concerted effort was subsequently made across the United Nations system to overhaul and improve staff security arrangements. In 2004, a radical proposal for strengthening and unifying the United Nations security management system was presented to the 59th session of the General Assembly in Report A/59/365 of 11 October 2004.

This resulted in the adoption of General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/59/276 December 2004) that created the Department of Safety and Security which merged the security management component of the Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD) and the Security and Safety Services (SSS) at Headquarters and at Offices away from Headquarters, (including the regional commissions),.

Furthermore, the Resolution mandated that the new Department be headed by a senior UN official at the rank of Under-Secretary-General for a non-renewable term of five years. The General Assembly also adopted measures to reinforce security operations in all locations and decided to establish a unified capacity for policy, standards, coordination, communications, compliance and threat and risk assessment.

The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) was formally established on 1 January 2005.

The mandate of the Division is (according to ST/SGB/2013/5):

• To provide strategic management, operational guidance and overall technical supervision of the Security and Safety Services located in New York, Offices away from Headquarters, regional commissions, and international tribunals.
• To manage the growing demand for personal protection details in a systematic and coordinated manner; to coordinate provision of security arrangements and specialized security support to major external events and conferences; to provide specialized assistance to the UNSMS on the assessment and implementation of physical security measures.