A United Nations Medal is an international decoration awarded by the United Nations (UN) to the various world countries members for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief.

[6] In 1956, to maintain the peace which brought the end of the Suez Crisis the United Nations Emergency Force was established.

[7] To reward the service of troops from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, India, Norway, Sweden and Yugoslavia those troops who completed ninety days of service with the UNEF were awarded the United Nations Emergency Force Medal.

Subsequent missions to maintain stability and train the Haitian National Police were undertaken under UNSMIH, UNTMIH, MIPONUH, and MICAH.

Personnel of the Armed Forces are allowed to wear United Nations medals if they choose to.

On 13 October 1995, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) approved a change to the wear policy of the United Nations Medal.

In the Argentinian Army, a national-issued, maroon-and-white bar showing the number of tours of duty may be worn in lieu of (but not together with) the UN-issued ribbons.

Members of the Swiss Armed Forces are allowed to wear one UN ribbon (of their choice between all UN awarded decorations).

Malaysian awardees are granted the post nominal of PNBB (Pingat Perkhidmatan Negara Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu).