Vietnam advances U.N. WPS agenda

Sr. Col. Nguyen Nhu Canh, VNDPKO’s Deputy Director, delivers closing remarks.

Dr. Alan Okros, Head of the Canadian Instructor Delegation, speaks at the event.

The success of the course reaffirms Vietnam’s proactive role in advancing the United Nations (UN) WPS agenda and contributing to U.N. peacekeeping operations.

Delegates attend the closing ceremony.

At the closing ceremony, Senior Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, VNDPKO’s Deputy Director, stated the in-depth training was a cooperative initiative between Canada and Vietnam. It aimed to promote the WPS agenda within Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP). He noted that as Vietnam increases the number and quality of female personnel in U.N. missions, this course reflects the nation's strong commitment to the WPS framework.

An international female trainee receives certificate.

A Vietnamese trainee receives certificate.

The program focused on applying WPS principles and gender perspectives to military functions. It equipped 31 officers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam with essential skills for U.N. deployment, aligning with the U.N.’s call for the full and meaningful participation of women to improve mission effectiveness. Participants enhanced their professional knowledge, exchanged experiences, and discussed leadership roles for women in international security.

Dr. Alan Okros, Head of the Canadian Instructor Delegation, emphasized that the training provided vital insights into implementing the WPS agenda within armed forces. He underscored the importance of translating these concepts into practice to shape mission objectives and address human factors in peacekeeping environments.

Delegates and trainees in a joint photo

Trainees pose for joint photo.

The curriculum covered the history, theory, and legal frameworks of the WPS agenda, alongside its impact on national and regional security. It further explored the military’s role in supporting WPS commitments and integrating these goals into ASEAN’s regional action plans.

Additionally, the course addressed women’s empowerment by analyzing the integration of female personnel into armed forces. A key component involved practical gender analysis tools, which participants applied to real-world operational scenarios to strengthen institutional and field-level capabilities.

Translated by Tran Hoai