Major General Hoang Kim Phung, director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Photo: VnExpress

Substantial and effective contributions of Vietnam

According to Major General Hoang Kim Phung, director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, up to now, Vietnam has sent 250 military officers and employees to carry out United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions at UN headquarters (New York, USA) and other missions in South Sudan, Central African Republic.

Regarding the form of independent officers, Vietnam has sent 61 times of military officers to serve as staff officers, military observers and liaison officers. In terms of unit, Vietnam has sent three hospitals with 189 medical staff to perform this task.

In June 2018, the United Nations recognized the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations as one of the four international training centers in the region to conduct training under the TriPartite Partnership Project (Vietnam, the UN and some partner countries). This is the premise for Vietnam to chair and coordinate with the United Nations and Japan to organize three training courses for many domestic and international officers on engineering in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region have agreed to elect Vietnam as the Chair of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers (AAPTC) for the 2020-2021 term. The ASEAN Peacekeeping Centers Network (APCN) also selected Vietnam as the APCN Chair for the 2020-2021 term.

With the substantive and effective contributions of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces, the UN Secretary-General, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and the Military Advisor at the New York Headquarters sent a letter of thanks to the Government of Vietnam for the medical contribution, the quality and capacity of Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital in the South Sudan Mission.

Major General Hoang Kim Phung assessed that the contributions of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces were an important mark, contributing to the success when Vietnam was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term with record number of votes (192/193 votes).

Concrete implementation of the Party and State's foreign policy

The director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations affirmed that participating in UN peacekeeping activities is a concrete step in implementing the policy of international integration and foreign policy of our Party and State.

According to Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Vietnam's sending forces to participate in UN peacekeeping operations has three great meanings.

Firstly, contribute to improving the position and prestige of Vietnam, and of the Vietnam People's Army in the international arena.

Secondly, contributing to improving the capacity, bravery and experience of the staff participating in UN peacekeeping activities, a field that is still very new to Vietnam.

Third, through the successful implementation of UN peacekeeping activities, Vietnam has affirmed its commitment and responsibility towards promoting peace and security in the region and the world; building trust with international partners and friends, contributing to the defense of the Fatherland early and from afar by peaceful means.

At the same time, Vietnam's achievements in the process of participating in UN peacekeeping activities also contribute to enhancing the prestige and success of Vietnam as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

Major General Hoang Kim Phung (center) and officers at the departure ceremony of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3 to go on a mission in South Sudan. Photo: Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations

Vietnam's big and practical step

Implementing the Master Plan on Vietnam's participation in the UN peacekeeping and the task "People's Army participates in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the 2014-2020 period and the coming years," the Ministry of Defense established the Engineer Team and made preparations for deployment in an appropriate mission upon the request of the United Nations.

Major General Hoang Kim Phung said: "This can be considered a great step forward in Vietnam's participation in UN peacekeeping activities, making a practical contribution to the protection of peace and stability in the region and the world."

At the same time, this is an implementation step to improve the prestige and position of the country and the Vietnamese Armed Forces, contributing to strengthening international cooperation in defense and security.

Vietnamese soldiers participate in people's diplomacy. Photo: Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations

Thereby, soldiers have the opportunity to exchange experiences, approach new problems, contribute to improving their ability to perform tasks in complex and diverse conditions, effectively respond to situations under modern war conditions, natural disasters and non-traditional security challenges.

This is also a way to globally highlight Vietnamese culture, the heroic traditional history of the nation, and the Vietnam People's Army in the cause of nation building and defense.

Vietnam Sends a Sapper Unit to UN Peacekeeping Operations for the First Time The first sapper unit will provide humanitarian aid, assisting the United Nations Peacekeeping in promoting stability, security, and peace processes.

Vietnam has third officer recruited to work at UN Headquarters Major Nguyen Phuc Dong from the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations has been recruited to work as a training officer at the UN Headquarters.

Vietnam to continue active participation in UN peacekeeping operations Vietnam will continue to enhance the efficiency of and expand the areas of engagement in UN peacekeeping operations, said defense officials in a recent conference.