SINGAPORE - Singapore inked an agreement with the United Nations (UN) on Friday to jointly develop an information management tool forUN peacekeeping efforts.
Called a Geographic Information System-based Situation Awareness Analysis Application,the tool will consolidate all peacekeeping operation-related information into an interactive map interface, Singapore's Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on Friday.
The tool will allow users to scope out the current conditions and relevant operational information concerning a peacekeeping operation. For instance, 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," Mindef said.
The tool, which will be developed by Singapore in collaboration with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Department of Field Support, is expected to be fully deployed from 2017.
The collaboration will tap Singapore's expertise in developing similar systems for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre.
The memorandum of understanding was signed between the UN and Ms Karen Tan, the permanent representative of Singapore to the UN, at the UN Operations and Crisis Centre in New York.
Apart from sharing the nation's expertise in technology, Singapore has also been supporting 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 16 peacekeeping and observer operations.
Ms 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."
