UNMIK - United Nations Mission in Kosovo

⚖️ 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

During his visit to Kosovo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, visited the North Mitrovica Courthouse yesterday to inaugurate an UNMIK-supported quick-impact project for the renovation and improvement of court facilities in the Court of Appeal Division in North Mitrovica.

Mr. Lacroix was accompanied by SRSG Peter Due, UN Development Coordinator Stephen O’Malley, UNDP Resident Representative in Kosovo Nuno Queirós, Mr. Bekim Veliqi, Acting President of the Basic Court of Mitrovica, Ms. Arjeta Sadiku, Deputy Chairperson of the Kosovo Judicial Council, and Mr. Shkëlzen Maliqi, Executive Director of the Kosovo Judicial Council.

The visit included discussions on strengthening access to justice, judicial services, and the rule of law.

UN Kosovo Team
UNDP Kosovo

Advocacy Center For Democratic Culture

On the second day of his high-level official visit to Kosovo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, together with SRSG Peter Due, visited the Visoki Dečani Monastery, where they met with Father Sava. The discussion highlighted the role of interfaith dialogue in fostering mutual understanding, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence among communities.

The programme further included meetings with Kosovo Serb interlocutors, including with mayors and representatives of the Health and Education Sectors in north Kosovo. Discussions focused on local governance issues, interactions between local and central institutions, and their implications for the human rights and well-being of local communities.

During his second visit to Kosovo in three years, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, together with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Peter Due, held constructive meetings yesterday with Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Acting First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Glauk Konjufca.

USG Lacroix also met with representatives of the diplomatic community and international organizations.

Discussions acknowledged Kosovo’s continued efforts and progress made, while underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation. USG Lacroix reaffirmed support for the EU-facilitated Dialogue and highlighted UNMIK’s continued commitment to strengthening the rule of law, promoting human rights, and supporting trust-building among communities.

On the margins of the Global Open Day, the visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, together with SRSG Peter Due, held separate discussions with former President of Kosovo Ms. Atifete Jahjaga and the Chief Executive of the Agency for Gender Equality, Ms. Edi Guisa. Their discussions focused on efforts to advance gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

USG Lacroix also visited the Barabar Centre which he inaugurated during his previous visit to Kosovo three years ago, discussing the Centre’s progress and its role in promoting inclusion for all communities.

United Nations Peacekeeping

Today, UNMIK and UN Women Kosovo marked the annual Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security, bringing together women leaders, policymakers, civil society representatives and international partners from Kosovo and the Western Balkans.

Addressing the event during his second visit to Kosovo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix stated: "At a time of shrinking political space, tightening resources, and a growing pushback against gender equality, our collective commitment to the WPS agenda is more urgent than ever. I commend the progress made in Kosovo in strengthening legal and institutional frameworks on violence against women and girls, advancing women’s participation in decision-making, and promoting women’s leadership. At the same time, persistent inequalities continue to need attention and action so that progress reaches all women and girls, across all communities”.

In his opening remarks, SRSG Peter Due emphasized that “peace is more sustainable, more inclusive, and more resilient when women participate fully, equally and meaningfully”.

Held under the theme “Gender-responsive trust-building through intergenerational dialogue,” this year’s Open Day focused on strengthening women’s leadership in peacebuilding, fostering meaningful participation across generations, and promoting regional cooperation in support of sustainable peace.

On the margins of the event, a craft fair was organized to support women entrepreneurs and small businesses.

United Nations Peacekeeping UN Women Kosovo