The network commenced under the auspices of UNESCO, as part of the International Year for the Culture of Peace.
The United Nations General Assembly in 2009 further endorsed the work of the network, in resolution A/RES/64/80.
As of 2023, the CPNN website is updated more or less daily (30-50 articles per month) with articles promoting at least one of the eight program areas of the culture of peace as defined in the United Nations Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace:[2] Education for Peace, Human Rights, Sustainable Development, Equality of Women, Democratic Participation, Free Flow of Information, Tolerance/Solidarity, Disarmament/Security.
Beginning in 2017 each year CPNN publishes a survey of the events celebrating the International Day of Peace.
At the beginning of each month a bulletin, available on the CPNN website, summarizes the major developments for a culture of peace and is sent by email to mailing lists in English, French and Spanish.