UNOAU attended the sixth International Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping Symposium that took place in Pretoria, South Africa, under the theme “Informed - Aware – Effective”. The symposium was held from 21 to 24 June and was organized by the UN Department of Operational Support (DOS) and the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of South Africa. Over 250 Delegates from UN Member States, Civil Society and Academia, International Consultants, representatives from inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, including 80 UN officials, attended the event. The main purpose of the symposium was to align the work of the different actors with key recommendations laid out in the Strategy for Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping, and to provide a communications platform that emphasizes the importance of cooperation. The symposium explored the use of modern and innovative technologies by leveraging creative and collaborative opportunities to enhance field technology in the areas of: protecting peacekeepers; information-driven peace operations; integrated training and capacity building; eco-responsibility; and telemedicine. The Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping has enabled DOS and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) to implement impactful projects with Member States, international and regional organizations, academia, and civil society organizations and deliver technology solutions to address key challenges facing peace operations.

This year marked the first time that African Union (AU) representatives participated in the Symposium. This was premised on the realization of the increasing use of innovative technologies to address operational challenges in AU peace operations. Greater technological awareness will help to enhance early warning and reduce the rate of attacks on AU forces, and equally enhance collaboration with potential partners and friendly coalitions, of varying technological capacity. The symposium presented a good opportunity for the AU to familiarize itself with the current developments and dynamics in the areas of “digital peacekeeping”, and on this basis, to help formulate its own policies on the use of technology in peace operations and create awareness among AU Member States on the possibilities of the emerging Technology Contributing Countries concept that offer new possibilities to complement the traditional notion of troop/police contributing countries (T/PCCs).