ABSTRACT
UN peacekeeping operations are established on an ad hoc basis. The UN Secretary-General presents a survey mission report to the Security Council on the need to establish a peacekeeping mission in a particular area that includes some preliminary estimated costs. Once the Council authorizes the mission, it establishes a mandate that is usually for six months or less. The Secretary-General then requests a commitment authority of up to $50 million from the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for the start-up cost of the mission (a commitment that exceeds $50 million and up to $150 million has to be presented to the General Assembly for its approval). The UN then sends a start-up team to the conflict area in order to establish a detailed budget based on the situation assessment. The estimated budget is prepared for an annual period from 1 July of the current year to 30 June of the following year. This budget proposal is reviewed by the ACABQ and approved by the General Assembly. The Secretary-General appoints a Force Commander. A letter of assessment with the mandate period is then sent to each Member State and the UN requests military personnel, equipment and logistics from countries in order to prepare for the mission. This process is done for each new mission that the Security Council authorizes.
