UNGSC recently hosted the 18th Technology Solutions Focal Points Webinar to orient and explore cutting-edge technologies, discuss emerging trends, and address challenges brought on by rapid digital change. This biannual event was attended by 154 representatives from UN peacekeeping missions, other UN entities, and external stakeholders.
Participants included representatives from UNAMA, UNMISS, MONUSCO, UNSOS, MINUSCA, IOM, UNICEF, and various UN departments and offices. One of the sessions, "AI Landscape: Build vs Buy", was delivered by an external expert from InfoTech Research Group, a Canadian firm specialising in IT strategy, systems, and trend analysis.
The webinar emphasised how technological solutions are essential for effective UN operations, especially in addressing daily challenges in the field. One example is frequency spectrum management, which ensures clear and secure communication between devices like radios, drones, and walkie-talkies. Until recently, this process was managed manually, leading to problems such as signal interference, communication delays, and difficulty coordinating across teams. Without a centralised system, it was hard to track usage or avoid overlaps, especially during emergencies, resulting in confusion and security risks.
To address this, the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe (RSCE), in collaboration with MINUSCA and UNIFIL, developed the Spectrum Management Application. This centralised tool was showcased during the webinar and is already being used by the two contributing missions. Three more missions – UNMOGIP, UNAMA, and UNMISS – have expressed interest in adopting it to improve radio frequency coordination after the webinar.
The webinar also covered other tech-related topics, including AI and privacy concerns, the pros and cons of building versus buying AI tools, and BrainGym – a digital solution that helps reduce stress at the workplace.
The next webinar is scheduled in October 2025.
