UNSC Open Debate: EAM Jaishankar proposes four-point framework to secure UN peacekeepers

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on August 18, 2021, while chairing the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Technology and Peacekeeping said that the UN peacekeeping missions continue to operate in a variety of challenging settings involving terrorists, armed groups, and non-state actors.

During the open debate, Jaishankar also announced India’s support to the UN in the rollout of the UNITE AWARE platform across select peacekeeping missions.

Since the deployment for the first time in 1948, the nature of peacekeeping missions and their attendant threats have become more complex, and hence it is vital to secure the peacekeepers to keep pace, he said.

In the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, EAM Jaishankar emphasized the role of technology in the safety of UN peacekeepers and the role the peacekeepers play in maintaining peace and tranquillity.

During a media briefing after the UNSC Open Debate in New York, EAM Jaishankar also responded on the situation in Afghanistan that India, currently, is very carefully following developments in Afghanistan. Ensuring security in Afghanistan and the safe return of Indian nationals is the prime focus.

India is preparing to send another Air Force plane to evacuate stranded Indian nationals in Afghanistan, he added.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on August 17, 2021, had reached New York to preside over two high-level signature events of the United Nations (UN) during India’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

During his visit, on August 18, 2021, EAM Jaishankar will chair an open debate on ‘Protecting the Protectors: Technology and Peacekeeping’ followed by a high-level briefing session on ‘Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts’ the next day.

Chaired the UNSC Open Debate on Technology and Peacekeeping.

As a country with a tradition of Peacekeeping and at forefront of Technology, proud to partner UN on a situational awareness platform-UNITE AWARE.

Gratified by the overwhelming support for this initiative. pic.twitter.com/rfETYsDLNq

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 18, 2021

UNSC Open Debate on Technology and Peacekeeping: Key Points by EAM Jaishankar

•India as one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions has contributed over 2,50,000 troops in 49 missions over the years.

•EAM Jaishankar during the UNSC Open Debate on Technology and Peacekeeping proposed a four-point framework that outlines the roadmap to secure UN peacekeepers.

1) Focus on reliable and field-serviceable technologies

•There is a need to focus on operationally proven, cost-effective, widely available, reliable, and field-serviceable technologies.

•Prioritizing mobility, both in the sense of the use of mobile digital/ IT platforms, and agile maneuverability of mission assets.

•Deployment of environment-friendly technologies using renewables and fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly construction materials.

2) Create an information and intelligence foundation

•There is also a need for an information and intelligence foundation that will ensure early warning.

•A reliable, high-fidelity means to gather, use, process, and share data and information will prove beneficial from the very beginning of peacekeeping missions.

•Overhead visualization and precise positioning of mission environments is significant in providing intelligence and enhancing the safety and security of the personnel of the peacekeeping missions.

•At the open debate, India announced its support to the UN in the rollout of the UNITE AWARE Platform across select peacekeeping missions that will aid complete visualization, coordination, and monitoring of peacekeeping missions on a real-time basis.

3) Contribute to ensure regular technological improvements

•Ensuring continuous technological improvements in the gear of the peacekeepers, their weapons, and tools are critical to enhancing their performance, mobility, range, endurance, and load-carrying capabilities along with their safety and security.

•These improvements also aim to strengthen communication within peacekeeping missions and enhance the decision-making capacity of personnel at the operational or tactical level.

4) Consistent technological training and capacity building of peacekeepers

•There is a significant need for consistent training and capacity building of peacekeepers in the field of technology.

•India in collaboration with the UNC4ISR Academy for Peace Operations in Entebbe, Uganda, is committed to its goal to help meet the training needs.

•India has signed an MoU with the United Nations in support of the ‘'Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping' initiative and to UN C4ISR Academy for Peace Operations (UNCAP).

‘Protecting the Protectors: Technology and Peacekeeping’: First Event

•The first event is an open debate on ‘Protecting the Protectors: Technology and Peacekeeping’ that will be held tomorrow on August 18, 2021.

•The ‘Protecting the Protectors: Technology and Peacekeeping’ open debate will focus on deliberating the use of modern technological tools to enhance the security and safety of Peacekeepers and to aid Peacekeeping missions.

•India, in collaboration with the UN, will launch a situational awareness programme ‘UNITE AWARE Platform’ that will aid a Peacekeeping Operations Centre to gauge the ground situation in a conflict zone on a real-time basis.

•India and the UN are expected to sign an MoU in support of the ‘Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping’ initiative during the visit.

‘Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts’: Second Event

•The second event will be a high-level briefing session on ‘Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts’ that will take up the six-monthly report of the UN Secretary-General on the threats by ISIL.

India’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

•India’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC began on January 1, 2021. India’s Presidency of the UNSC in August is the country’s first Presidency in 2021-22. After August, India’s Presidency will next be in December 2022.

•This is India’s 10^th tenure as UNSC Presidency. Since the establishment of the UNSC in 1945, India has held Presidency of the UNSC for 9 times: June 1950, September 1967, December 1972, October 1977, February 1985, October 1991, December 1992, August 2011, and November 2012.

•As per the UNSC protocol, the Council Presidency rotates among each of the 15 members of the UNSC in alphabetical order.

•For the month of August 2021, India’s Presidency has outlined three high-level meetings on peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and maritime security. The monthly programme of India’s Presidency will deliberate on situations in the neighborhood and the world, including developments in Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, and the Middle East.