Context

India, in collaboration with the United Nation (UN), launched ‘UNITE Aware’, a technology platform to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers who are operating in increasingly complex and risky environments across the world.

About

About UNITE Aware:

• UNITE Aware is a situational awareness software programme that will utilise modern surveillance technology for real time threat assessments to peacekeepers.
• India has contributed USD 1.64 million for the project.
• India has developed the technology platform in partnership with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Operational Support.

Objectives of the mission

• To demonstrate the impact of modern surveillance technology on the detection of asymmetric threats. 
• To improve camp security for UN peacekeepers, the overall security situation, and the quality of situational awareness.

UN Peacekeeping missions (for initial launch)

• The UNITE Aware platform will be initially launched in four UN Peacekeeping Missions: 
• MINUSMA (Mali)
• UNMISS (South Sudan)
• UNFICYP (Cyprus) 
• AMISOM (Somalia)

What is UN Peacekeeping? 

• UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
• Consent of the parties
• Impartiality
• Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate
• UN peacekeepers provide security and the political and peace building support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace.