Security Council members recently immersed themselves into the lifesaving work of the Blue Helmets through virtual reality as they prepared to review a peacekeeping situation.
Hosted by the Department of Global Communications¡¯ Visitors Services Section?in partnership with the Department of Peace Operations, the event aimed to deepen the Security Council members' understanding of the operations carried out by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Using virtual reality?headsets?from their seat at the Security Council round table, delegates could observe flood-affected regions in Bentiu, view land and riverine patrols along the Nile, and gain insights into the mission's peacebuilding initiatives within conflict-impacted communities.
¡°Prior to today's meeting, taking advantage of the virtual reality technology, we conducted a ¡°field visit¡± of the work of UNMISS, during which I was also pleased to see China's own Blue Helmets,¡± said Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of the People¡¯s Republic of China to the United Nations, in his opening remarks.
Fu Cong, who presides over the Security Council for February 2025, added: ¡°This experience is incredibly valuable for deepening our understanding of the situation in South Sudan and the operations of peacekeeping missions, as it allows us to engage with the circumstances firsthand.¡±
After his briefing on the situation in the country, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS?Nicholas Haysom?said,?¡°This experience provides a tangible sense of the responsibilities undertaken by peacekeepers.¡±
¡°I was profoundly impressed by the visual representation of my mission's operations,¡± Mr.?Haysom said. ¡°There is now a significantly greater understanding and empathy for the peacekeeping efforts than previously existed.¡±
The virtual reality experience is now available to visitors taking a guided tour at UN Headquarters in New York, providing a powerful glimpse into the vital work being carried out by UN peacekeepers around the world.
