Hanoi, November 16, 2024 — The Europe Today: Eighteen participants from five Asian countries successfully completed a specialized peacekeeping training programme in Hanoi, designed to prepare trainers to deliver UN-standard courses. The programme, conducted at the People’s Security Academy, ran from October 28 to November 15, 2024.
The course attracted candidates from Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal and covered three key topics: public order management, police capacity building, and supervision, guidance, and consultancy.
Strengthening Peacekeeping Expertise
At the closing ceremony, Major General Nguyễn Sỹ Quang, Chief of the Permanent Office for the UN Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of Public Security, emphasized the strategic importance of preparing trainers for peacekeeping missions.
“This programme not only strengthens the capabilities of trainers but also highlights the close cooperation between Vietnam, the United Nations, and other partners in advancing peacekeeping initiatives,” he said.
He also reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to contributing forces to UN peacekeeping operations, aligning with its pledge to promote peace, stability, and development in the region and globally.
UN Recognition of Vietnam’s Contributions
Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator for Vietnam, lauded the country’s growing role in UN peacekeeping, particularly the involvement of female officers.
She noted that four female police officers participated in the Hanoi training programme, surpassing the UN’s objectives for women’s participation in peacekeeping missions.
“Vietnamese female officers have showcased exceptional qualities, professionalism, and adaptability in challenging conditions, further enhancing Vietnam’s reputation on the international stage,” Tamesis remarked.
Vietnam’s Expanding Peacekeeping Role
Since 2022, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has sent multiple teams to UN missions, including the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Additionally, one officer has been deployed to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York.
In January 2024, Vietnam established its first Police Peacekeeping Unit, which was upgraded to level 2 readiness by the UN in July 2024.
A Milestone in Regional Collaboration
The Hanoi training programme marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration among regional countries while enhancing the expertise and readiness of future peacekeeping trainers. It underscored Vietnam’s dedication to the principles of multilateral cooperation and its growing influence in international peacekeeping efforts.
