UNITE Aware programme

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In news-  India, in collaboration with the UN, launched the UNITE AWARE Platform recently.

About UNITE Aware programme-

• UNITE Aware is a situational awareness software programme that utilises modern surveillance technology for real time threat assessments to peacekeepers.
• It also helps  to visualise and analyze the ground situation in a conflict zone on a real time basis.
• This project aims to demonstrate the impact of modern surveillance technology on the detection of asymmetric threats. 
• The aim is to improve camp security for UN peacekeepers, the overall security situation, and quality of situational awareness. 
• The platform records data on critical incidents and events and tracks daily operational activities. 
• It also provides access to live video and satellite imagery and early warnings in a volatile environment.
• India has partnered with the UN to roll out the UNITE Aware platform initially in four UN Peacekeeping Missions: 
  • MINUSMA (Mali).
  • UNMISS (South Sudan).
  • UNFICYP (Cyprus) and
  • AMISOM (Somalia).
• The launch of the UNITE AWARE platform came as India assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of August.
• India has contributed USD 1.64 million to this project.
• India has developed this platform in partnership with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Operational Support.

MoU between India & UN 

As part of India’s initiatives for the training and capacity building of peacekeepers in the realm of technology, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between India and UN to support the “Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping” initiative and the UN Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Academy for Peace Operations based in Entebbe, Uganda.

India’s role in adopting UNSC resolution on accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers

• The UNSC  unanimously adopted a resolution on ensuring accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers for the first time during a meeting held under the Indian presidency.
• The resolution, adopted at an open debate chaired by external affairs minister S Jaishankar, calls for prevention, investigation and prosecution to bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against UN peacekeepers. 
• It was initiated by India in the Security Council earlier this year and co-sponsored by all 15 permanent and non-permanent members of the body.
• The Security Council also adopted the first technology-related presidential statement on peacekeeping  “Technology for Peacekeeping” which called for recognising that “technology has the potential to act as a force multiplier.
• The open debate with the theme “Protecting the protectors” was one of three signature events being hosted by India as part of its presidency of the Security Council. 

Extra reading: https://journalsofindia.com/indias-unsc-presidency/

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