Context:
‘Group of Friends’ launched to promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.
Group of Friends:
- Launched by – India
- Objective – To promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers
- Members – India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal
UNITE AWARE Platform:
- UNITE AWARE Platform – A technology platform to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers who are operating across the world.
- Launched by – India, in collaboration with the United Nations
- Objective – To demonstrate the impact of modern surveillance technology on the detection of asymmetric threats.
- Significance –
- This will access live video and satellite imagery of peacekeeping operations
- Can deliver early warnings to peacekeepers.
- Also record data on critical incidents and events and follow daily operational activities.
- Monitoring of entire peacekeeping operation on a real time basis.
- UN Peacekeeping – Deployment of troops and police in conflict zones, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers to address a range of mandates set by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the General Assembly.
- UN Peacekeepers are referred to as – Blue Berets or Blue Helmets
- Financial Contribution – Collective responsibility of UN Member States.
- Legal Obligation – Under the UN Charter, every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping.
- International Day of UN Peacekeepers – 29th May
- India’s Contribution –
- India contributes the highest number of troops to UN Peacekeeping Forces.
- In 2007, India became the 1st country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
