The concept of preventive diplomacy made its first appearance at the United Nations (UN) a little over half a century, under the leadership of Secretary-General Hammarskjöld. In 1992, Boutros-Ghali writes "An Agenda for Peace" pressuring the UN to take a proactive rather than a reactive role in conflict resolution. But what is Preventive Diplomacy all about?

Michael S. Lund, the author of Preventing Violent Conflict: A Strategy for Preventive Diplomacy, identifies Preventive Diplomacy as "action taken in vulnerable places and times to avoid the threat or use of armed force and related forms of coercion by states or groups to settle the political disputes that can arise from the destabilizing effects of economic, social, political, and international change."

The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) is the main body in charge of preventive diplomacy at the UN. 

The United Nations employs the political tools of diplomacy and mediation to help nations prevent and resolve conflicts peacefully and to avert the suffering and destruction of war.

In pursuit of these objectives, United Nations envoys are dispatched to areas of tension around the world to assist in defusing crises and brokering negotiated settlements to conflicts. Civilian-led “political missions” are deployed to the field with mandates to encourage dialogue and cooperation within and between nations, or to promote reconciliation and democratic governance in societies rebuilding after civil wars.

Here is a few interview videos from chiefs of missions engaging in preventive diplomacy around the world: