Singapore and the United Nations Sign MOU to Jointly Develop Information Management Tool for UN Peacekeeping

The signing of the MOU by Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations, Ms Karen Tan, (front, left), and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous (front, right), witnessed by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support Anthony Banbury (left, back), together with Military Advisor and Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations, COL Foo Khee Loon (right, back).

The Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations (UN), Ms Karen Tan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UN on behalf of the Singapore Government on 11 Dec 2015 (SG time) at the UN Operations and Crisis Centre in New York.

Under the MOU, Singapore will collaborate with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Department of Field Support to jointly develop an information management tool to enhance the conduct of UN peacekeeping operations. This tool is expected to be fully deployed from 2017.

The information management tool, a Geographic Information System-based Situation Awareness Analysis Application, will consolidate all peacekeeping operation-related information into an interactive map interface. At one glance, users will be able to appreciate the current conditions and relevant operational information concerning a peacekeeping operation. They  will be able to search for events-of-interest, access event-related details, and conduct event trend analysis. This will significantly enhance the way the UN plans, monitors and conducts these operations.

The joint collaboration taps on Singapore's expertise in developing similar systems for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre. Speaking after the MOU signing, Ambassador Tan said, "As a small developing state, Singapore is extremely pleased to be able to contribute in a  meaningful and practical way that has the potential to impact and save the lives of many.  

Singapore supports efforts by the UN to maintain peace and prevent conflicts in volatile situations which can result in greater human suffering. The information management tool is an example of how Singapore tries to contribute to the international community, notwithstanding our manpower and resource constraints. We will continue to identify such  ways of supporting the work of the UN."

Singapore is a concerned and responsible member of the international community and fully supports the UN's efforts in promoting international peace and stability, and in upholding the rule of international law. Since 1989, the SAF and the Singapore Police Force have served in 15 peacekeeping and observer operations. Singapore also contributes by sharing our expertise in technology to build capacity in UN peacekeeping operations.