Way Finding Application: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently approved the proposal for signing of an agreement between the Government of India and the United Nations on a ‘Way Finding Application’ to be used in the Palais des Nations, United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).

About Way Finding Application:

• The project of development of ‘Way Finding Application’ has been conceptualized as a donation from the Government of India (GoI) to the UN on the occasion of its 75th anniversary in 2020.
• The project consists of the development deployment and maintenance of a software-based ‘Way Finding Application’ to facilitate navigation in the Palais des Nations premises of UNLG.
• The estimated financial implication for the development deployment and maintenance of the App is $ 2 Million.
• The App will work on Android and iOS devices with an internet connection.
• It will enable users to find their way from point to point within the 21 floors spread across five buildings of UNOG.   
• The development of the App has been entrusted to the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), an autonomous telecom Research & Development Center of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), GoI.

United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG):

• The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. 
• It is currently made up of 193 Member States. 
• India is a founding member of the United Nations.
• The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is located at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
• It serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Geneva.
• It is the biggest department of the United Nations Secretariat outside of headquarters in New York.

What is the purpose of the UNOG Way Finding Application?

• UNOG consists of five buildings and 21 floors. A large number of delegates visit UNOG to participate in various meetings and conventions.
• Keeping in view the complexity of buildings and huge participation, there was a requirement for a navigational application that can help the visitors and other delegates in finding their way inside the premises while adhering to all security perspectives.
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• While the Global Positioning System (GPS) based Apps function in open space, a more precise in-building navigational App will assist the visitors in locating the room and offices.

Significance of this contribution by India to the UN:

• The project will be a significant contribution from the Government of India to the UN. 
• The project would not only demonstrate India's technical ability but will also enhance the country's profile at the United Nations.
• The App will make India’s presence felt in the UN and showcase its soft power in the form of strong software technology expertise – a ‘Made in India’ App in the mobiles that come from across the globe.