United Nations Security Council members have tested virtual reality (VR) devices in examining the lifesaving work of peacekeeping forces in South Sudan.
Officials set up the VR demonstration to deepen Security Council members’ understanding of the operations carried out by the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Using VR headsets at the Security Council roundtable, delegates could observe flood-affected regions in Bentiu, view land and river patrols along the Nile, and gain insights into the mission’s peacebuilding initiatives within conflict-affected communities. One representative described the VR session as a “field visit” to the peacekeeping mission.
VR gives users the sense of being in a different place or time, thanks to computer-generated graphics or 360-degree real-world video footage. In the U.N., it is being used by those involved in conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts to share perspectives and promote mutual understanding.
One Security Council official called the experience “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.”
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.” He added, “There is now a significantly greater understanding and empathy for the peacekeeping efforts than previously existed.”
The VR experience is available to visitors taking a guided tour at U.N. headquarters in New York, providing a powerful glimpse into the work being carried out by peacekeepers around the world.
The UNMISS VR tour is not the first for the U.N. It is increasingly turning to VR for immersive storytelling to brief decision-makers on international affairs. In December 2022, the U.N. invited diplomats to try out VR on the work of the U.N. Verification Mission in Colombia.