UNMIK - United Nations Mission in Kosovo

In Retrospect:
Pristina, October 1999. A UN peacekeeper shares a warm exchange with local children during the early stages of recovery in Kosovo.

Photo: UNMIK

🗣️“I want to live in a world where I can die my own death and not fear being killed—and where my rights and the rights of my neighbours are respected.”

These powerful words were shared by a student during a visit to by 12 Israeli and Arab high school students participating in the second annual Peacebuilding Camp, organized by TOKA and Debate ForPeace. Together with other young people from Ukraine, Kosovo and Serbia, they explored the role of youth in advancing dialogue, reconciliation and peace.

Her reflection reminded everyone in the room that peace cannot remain only an aspiration. It requires collective responsibility, sustained commitment and meaningful action.

Mobile Bio Market Launched 🌿

Women from Kosovo Albanian, Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Roma communities came together in Gračanica/Graçanicë and Obiliq/Obilić last week, to offer their own locally grown and homemade agricultural products through the UNMIK-supported Mobile Bio Market.

Implemented by Agromedicine Association, the initiative supports women’s economic empowerment while fostering interethnic cooperation, local development and trust building.

Designed as a travelling eco-market, the mobile van will move across Kosovo, connecting women producers with new customers and bringing fresh local products, from vegetables and fruit to honey, ajvar and preserves, closer to all communities.

⚖️ Access to justice, institutional representation and trust in the rule of law were at the centre of the conference organized by the Advocacy Center For Democratic Culture, with the support of UNMIK on Monday.

Bringing together representatives of judicial institutions, the legal profession, civil society and international organizations, the discussion focused on the functioning of the judiciary in northern Kosovo, including the impact of the 2022 resignation of Serbian judges and prosecutors, existing case backlogs, language rights and prospects for restoring broader representation within judicial institutions.

Participants emphasized that meaningful representation of non-majority communities, equal access to justice, and the consistent implementation of language rights remain essential to strengthening public confidence in the justice system.

UNMIK continues to support inclusive dialogue and cooperation among institutions, legal professionals and civil society, in support of trust-building and the rule of law for all communities.

📍SRSG Peter Due visited Prizren and met Mayor Shaqir Totaj for an exchange on local priorities, community needs and opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in support of all communities.

Reflecting Prizren’s rich cultural and religious heritage, the SRSG also visited the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor, the Jewish Community Center, the Orthodox Cathedral of St. George and the Sinan Pasha Mosque, where he met with local religious and community representatives.

Throughout the visit, the SRSG underlined the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and continued engagement with local institutions, faith communities and civic actors as essential to building trust and supporting inclusive peace in Kosovo.

📍SRSG Peter Due participated today in the Regional Peace Dialogue Conference “Building Peace: Women Lead Reconciliation in the Western Balkans,” convened by the Regional Women’s Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in Southeast Europe, with UNMIK support.

🔗The conference opened with remarks by Edita Tahiri, Chair of the Regional Women’s Lobby, and included the participation of Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama. In his remarks, SRSG Due highlighted the important role of women leaders in advancing reconciliation, trust-building and inclusive dialogue across communities and generations.

🔎The conference brought together women leaders and politicians, peacebuilders and civil society representatives from across the region to exchange views on peace, security, justice and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

During his visit to Belgrade today, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, accompanied by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, Peter Due, and the Representative of the Secretary-General and Director of the UN Office in Belgrade, Dominika Krois, held constructive meetings with Prime Minister Đuro Macut, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić and State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nevena Jovanović.

The discussions focused on the role of UNMIK, support for the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, regional developments, and the importance of continued engagement in promoting lasting peace, stability, and security in the Western Balkans. USG Lacroix expressed appreciation for Serbia’s longstanding support to UN peacekeeping and its valuable contributions to peace operations worldwide, including through the deployment of Serbian personnel.

In Belgrade, USG Lacroix also met with members of the diplomatic community to discuss current regional developments, shared challenges, and opportunities to strengthen peace, security and stability.

United Nations Peacekeeping