Defense leader attends conference on peacekeeping in Francophone environment

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a speech to the conference via video conferencing.

Themed “Maintaining international peace and security in a changing world: New challenges for peacekeeping operations in the Francophone environment,” the conference focused on discussing and assessing emerging changes in the international security environment, particularly in Africa and Francophone regions, where most U.N. peacekeeping operations are deployed.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Quang Ngoc attends the conference.

At the discussion sessions, the Vietnamese delegation actively exchanged views to learn from international experience while also sharing Vietnam’s own experience in participating in peacekeeping operations. Delegates emphasized that peacekeeping operations remain one of the most solid and effective instruments of the international community.

Within the framework of the conference, delegates attended the ministerial-level general discussion session and three thematic sessions on assessing new situations, risks, and challenges facing peacekeeping operations; improving training quality to enhance the effectiveness of task performance; and promoting partnerships and international commitments toward peace, security, and sustainable development.

An overview of the event

Delegates at the event

The conference adopted the “Rabat Declaration,” reaffirming member states’ commitment to U.N. peacekeeping operations; emphasizing the role of multilateralism, strengthening international cooperation, ensuring the safety and security of peacekeeping forces, and promoting the implementation of the U.N.’s Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) initiative.

For 12 years of participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations, Vietnam has deployed nearly 1,400 officers and service members from the Vietnam People’s Army and the Vietnam People’s Public Security forces to U.N. missions. From the first two officers deployed in 2014, Vietnam has steadily demonstrated its capability, professionalism, and commitment in U.N. peacekeeping through the successful deployment of large-scale units such as the Level-2 Field Hospital at the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Engineering Company at the U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and more.

Heads of participating delegations in a joint photo

Vietnam’s participation in the 2nd Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in the Francophone Environment once again affirmed the country’s proactive role, responsibility, and growing prestige within multilateral peacekeeping cooperation mechanisms, while also demonstrating Vietnam’s determination to contribute actively and effectively to the international community’s common efforts for peace, stability, and sustainable development worldwide.

Translated by Quynh Oanh