Innovation And Technology To Shape Future Of Peacekeeping

Innovation and technology are being used to shape the future of peacekeeping, the Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations said on Thursday. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, observed annually on 29 May, pays tribute to the men and women who help countries torn by conflict create the conditions for lasting peace. It's also a day to honour fallen peacekeepers who have died in the service of peace. Mr Edmond Mulet noted that peacekeeping has been going through changes and adaptations over the last decades to confront the world's new challenges. "This is why the theme talks a lot about the future, what peacekeeping can do for the future. The head of the department, Mr Herv� Ladsous from France has been introducing new technologies. We have unarmed, unmanned vehicles (UUAVS) are flying in the Democratic Republic of Congo with incredible, positive results. And we would like to bring these new technologies of satellite imagery, better communications that will improve the work we do in the field on the ground." Mr Mulet also said more partnerships need to be developed with sub regional and regional organizations, especially in Africa, who are the first responders to crises facing the continent. More than 120 countries are presently contributing their military, police personnel or so-called "blue helmets" to serve in UN field missions. India and Pakistan are the largest troop contributing countries or TCCs but there has been an emergence of countries like Vietnam that had never sent troops before.