The United Nations says allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in U.N. peacekeeping missions decreased in 2018 — but allegations against other U.N. personnel and staff of organizations implementing U.N. programs increased, possibly due to "awareness-raising."

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to the General Assembly Monday that the allegations involve adults and children. He stressed the U.N.'s "zero-tolerance" policy and called for scaled-up prevention efforts.

According to the report, the number of cases in U.N. peacekeeping and political missions dropped to 54 in 2018 from 62 in 2017. By comparison, there were 94 reported cases at U.N. agencies, funds and programs and 109 allegations involving U.N. partner organizations, it said.

The United Nations has long been in the spotlight over allegations of sexual abuses by its peacekeepers.