Technology

The Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) enables a better, safer, more sustainable future through innovative technology. OICT is responsible for defining strategic direction for ICT in the Secretariat. It provides oversight of ICT programmes, systems, applications and decision-making. In field missions, OICT delivers quality, robust and reliable solutions and services that enable peace operations and support the implementation of mandates. The Office provides and maintains the infrastructure and service management frameworks on which these solutions and services are delivered.

MONUSCO/Michael AliSatellite Dishes mounted by the Satellite Unit at the MONUSCO UTEX Compound in Kinshasa, DRC.

All Secretariat entities report to Mr. Bernardo Mariano Junior, Chief Information Technology Officer, Assistant Secretary-General, OICT on issues relating to all ICT-related activities, resource management, standards, security, architecture, policies and guidance. OICT is headquartered in New York and has a dual reporting line to the Department of Operational Support (DOS) and the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. 

Overall focus

Flexible and modern ICT is critical as the Organization moves towards a UN 2.0. The Office’s three key strategic goals, therefore, are:  

  • Accelerate Innovation: to provide access to frontier technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain that UN entities can use.  
  • Build Cybersecurity Resiliency: to continue building up a robust cybersecurity approach and operational resilience. ​ 
  • Enable Digital Transformation: to strengthen project and programme management, ensuring all ICT and data-related projects are implemented following prevailing industry methodologies.   


A technology strategy for the future UN

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy (A/69/517), which identified objectives, including strengthening cybersecurity and using technology to support innovation throughout the Secretariat, concluded in 2020, created a foundation to enable the UN to deliver on its mandates. 

The COVID-19 pandemic and other global challenges have made it clear that the way the United Nations and its personnel work has changed profoundly since the strategy was adopted in 2015; our reliance on technology has increased greatly. 

OICT collaborated with main UN Headquarters departments, offices away from Headquarters and the field to develop a new multi-year ICT strategy that will enable the UN to achieve its mandates and provide the tools needed to do our jobs effectively in these ever-changing times. 

The strategy will align with UN initiatives and frameworks, including: