Conflict analysis is a systematic study of the structures, stakeholders and dynamics of conflict to provide a better understanding of causes, triggers and forces promoting violent conflict or sustaining peace. It identifies critical actors and priorities to inform conflict resolution strategy and mediation process design. Ongoing conflict analysis and monitoring is also crucial to anticipate and prevent conflict, to strengthen a nation's resilience to conflict and to transform conflict dynamics, e.g. through support to key actors committed to non-violent conflict resolution.

The Secretary-General developed the United Nations Guidance for Effective Mediation in response to a request from the General Assembly (A/RES/65/283). The Guidance identifies a number of key fundamentals that should be considered in mediation processes: preparedness; consent; impartiality; inclusivity; national ownership; international law and normative frameworks; coherence; coordination and complementarity of the mediation effort; and quality peace agreements.

The United Nations requires its mediators to address conflict-related sexual violence. This guidance offers mediators and their teams principles and strategies for including this critical peacebuilding and security concern in ceasefire and peace agreements.

This UN DPA, now DPPA guidance seeks to inform mediators and their teams, as well as conflict parties, about the principles and strategies for the effective inclusion of women, as well as a gendered perspective in mediation processes. The guidance addresses mediation preparation, inclusive process design, and substantive issues including security arrangements, participation, constitutions, as well as language and the implementation of peace agreements through a gender lens.