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Vietnam’s Preparation for Joining UN Peacekeeping Forces

Vietnam’s preparation for participation in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations has recently attracted much domestic and international attention. This proves Vietnam’s consistent policy on supporting and being ready to contribute to the maintenance of peace in the region and in the world. It is a new step of development in Vietnam’s international integration in defense, aiming to meet the national construction and defense objectives
Since 2005, Vietnam has made multi-faced preparation for participating in UN Nations peacekeeping operations, including the establishment of a national legal framework. Vietnam has so far sent many liaison officers to the UN Mission in South Sudan, staff officers to the  Mission in the Central African Republic and officially registered for membership in the UN Standby Arrangement System (UNSAS) to take part in other missions.

Addressing the first-ever United Nations Chiefs of Defence Conference held in the UN headquarters in New York City on March 27 and 28, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence said that the Asia-Pacific is becoming the centre of the world and the future of the development in politics, economics and defence security of countries in the region and the world. However, it is facing imminent challenges posing threats to peace, stability, and security rising from non-traditional security problems, territorial disputes, threats of force, and non-compliance with international law. Therefore, ensuring peace and security in the Asian-Pacific region is now more urgent than ever and needs to be a highlight in the UN working agenda.


Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh delivers a speech at the UN’s Chiefs of Defence Conference
on Peacekeeping Operations held at the UN Headquarters in New York (US). Photo: Le Duong/VNA


The delegation from Vietnam’s Defence Ministry held a bilateral meeting with the delegation from
the Indian Defence Ministry on March 26, 2015 on the sideline of the UN’s Chiefs of Defence Conference
on Peacekeeping Operations held at the UN Headquarters in New York (US). Photo: Le Duong/VNA


Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh met with Deputy Chief of General Staff
of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Sun Jianguo
on the sidelines of the UN’s Chiefs of Defence Conference on Peacekeeping operations
held at the UN Headquarters in New York (US) on March 26, 2015. Photo: Le Duong/VNA

(Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh)

Vietnam continually exerts efforts to contribute to peace and stability, protesting inequality and the use of force while considering community interests and international law as the guideline for all its actions to safeguard the nation’s interests and maintain regional and international peace and security.
He emphasised that Vietnam continually exerts efforts to contribute to peace and stability, protesting inequality and the use of force while considering community interests and international law as the guideline for all its actions to safeguard the nation’s interests and maintain regional and international peace and security.

The Deputy Minister asserted that with a tradition of 70 years of building, fighting and winning glorious victories in the wars for national protection, the Vietnam People’s Army is capable of successfully participating in UN peacekeeping activities, for the purposes of peace, humanity and reconstruction in the fields that Vietnam selects on the basis of the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the approval of related sides, including the host country.

He added that Vietnam’s participation in UN peace-keeping activities not only shows the responsibility of a UN member country but also brings pride to Vietnam. However, it is facing challenges of having less experience and limited potential. Therefore, Vietnam hopes to receive cooperation and assistance from the UN and its member nations to fulfill assigned tasks, making active contributions to maintaining peace, stability and building solidarity among countries in the region and the world.


Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh and Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force
Lieutenant General Tim Keating. Photo: Le Duong/VNA


Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh meets with United Nations Under-Secretary-General
for Field Support Atul Khare. Photo: Le Duong/VNA


Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh meets with United Nations Under-Secretary-General
for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous. Photo: Le Duong/VNA


Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh meets with the Chief of Staff of
the Japan Ground Self Defence Forces Kiyofumi Iwata. Photo: Le Duong/VNA


Minister of Defence General Phung Quang Thanh gives a military flag with the words “Quyet thang”
(Determined to Win) to the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA


The farewell ceremony for three cadres of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre to take part in
the UN Peacekeeping Force in the Central Africa Republic. Photo: Hong Pha/VNA

Receiving the Vietnamese Deputy Minister on the fringe of the conference, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous described Vietnam’s participation at the event as a representation of its responsibility and determination to join UN peacekeeping missions and highly appreciated Vietnam’s persistent effort over the years and its preparation for continually participating in missions in the future.

The UN Under-Secretary-General affirmed that the UN supports the country’s engagement in peacekeeping activities and will help improve the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre’s capacity to train peacekeeping forces; effectively perform search, rescue, and humanitarian aid missions; and take part in bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities.
 
By VNA/VNP

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