The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, approved the proposal for the 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).

Founded in 1945, the UN is currently made up of 193 member states.  India is a founding member of the world body.

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The UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), consisting of five buildings and 21 floors, is housed at the historic Palais des Nations.  A large number of delegates, members of civil society, and the general public 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.

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.

The project of development of ‘Way Finding Application’ has been conceptualised as a donation from the Government of India to the UN on the occasion of its 75th anniversary in 2020.  The estimated financial implication for the development deployment and maintenance of the App is $2 Million.

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 application will enable users to find their way from point to point within the 21 floors spread across five buildings of UNOG.  The App will work on Android and iOS devices with an internet connection.

The development of the App has been entrusted to the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), an autonomous telecom Research & Development Centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India.

The project will be a significant contribution from the Government of India to the UN. The project will not only highlight the technical capabilities of India but also enhance the prestige of the country at the UN level platform.  The App will make India’s presence felt in the UN and showcase its soft power.