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Senior Colonel Pham Manh Thang, VNDPKO Director, delivers the closing speech. |
In his closing speech, Senior Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VNDPKO), stressed that the meeting completed the agenda, achieving the set goals, contributing to further reinforcing the partnership on peacekeeping operations among ASEAN member states.
Colonel Thang underlined that delegates approved the minutes of the meeting with specific outcomes, including the evaluation of the results and the progress of the APCN; the agreement on the direction and mode of operation of the network in the years to come.
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Rear Admiral Retino Kunto M.T. Opsla speaks at the event. |
Attentively, delegates agreed on the continuity of implementing the ASEAN Peacekeeping Partnership Plan of Action with the ASEAN Peacekeeping Staff Exercise (APSE) as the focus to improve training capacity and coordination in effective task performance at U.N. peacekeeping missions, making practical contribution to the common peacekeeping efforts of the international community.
Highly appreciating the host’s preparations and successful organization of the event, Rear Admiral Retino Kunto M.T. Opsla, Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Center (IAF PKC), confirmed that “the warm reception and hospitability of Vietnam as the APCN Chair have created conditions for the success of this year’s meeting. The city of Hanoi, which is rich in culture, is the ideal place to hold the 8th edition.”
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Delegates in a joint photo |
He said that the biggest goal of the APCN is to promote and strengthen cooperation among members through experience sharing, exchange of experts and capacity-building activities in the field of peacekeeping.
The IAF PKC Commander added that the meeting held at this time was appropriate in promoting commitment to intra-bloc cooperation and building strategic steps in response to numerous emerging challenges. He also highlighted the positive outcomes from the meeting towards regional peace and stability through partnership and mutual understanding based on mutual respect in Southeast Asia.
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APCN's flag is handed over to the representative of Indonesia (left), the APCN Chair 2024. |
At the end of the meeting, the VNDPKO director, the APCN Chair 2023, handed over the network's flag to the representative of Indonesia as APCN Chair 2024.
Translated by Mai Huong