Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the U.N., stressed the requirement, especially amid risks of increased hostilities and intentional attacks on U.N. personnel.
He called on the missions to enhance their health capacity to protect the physical and mental health of peacekeeping forces.
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Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the U.N., speaks at the recent plenary meeting of C34. |
As Vietnam’s experience shows, increasing interactions and trust building with local administrations and communities is important to helping reduce risks and create a safer and more favorable environment for peacekeeping forces in the field, Nguyen continued.
The diplomat also recommended the U.N. continue enhancing peacekeeping partnerships with regional organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
As one of the four Southeast Asian countries housing U.N.-designated international training centers for the Triangular Partnership Program, Vietnam is ready to cooperate with international partners to improve the quality of peacekeepers, especially in the stage of pre-deployment, he stated.
Nguyen added that the country also wishes to receive support and assistance from partners during the preparation for deploying its first peacekeeping police unit in the coming time.
Underlining the importance of promoting women’s role in peacekeeping operations, the diplomat appealed to the U.N. and the missions to create a safer and more favorable work environment for women’s engagement in peacekeeping forces.
Vietnam pledges efforts to maintain its female participation rate in peacekeeping forces higher than the U.N.’s set target of 15% and strive to raise the rate to 20% by 2025, he remarked.
In his opening address, President of the U.N. General Assembly Dennis Francis affirmed that peacekeeping is an important tool of the U.N. to maintain peace and security and protect civilians. He highlighted the contributions and sacrifice by U.N. peacekeeping forces over the last 76 years, noting 4,345 peacekeepers have died.
Amid the increasingly complicated international political and security situations, C34 needs feasible and durable solutions to improve the efficiency of peacekeeping missions, Francis said.
Source: VNA