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Maj. Gen. Pham Manh Thang speaks at the opening ceremony. |
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Lt. Col. Sally Graham at the event |
The program brings together personnel who have previously served in Vietnam’s Engineering Companies and Level-2 Field Hospitals, members of the force-generation pool for future peacekeeping engineering contingents, and representatives from the Ministry of Public Security’s U.N. Peacekeeping Police Unit.
Nine experts from the Australian Defense Force are sharing practical experience and professional knowledge with personnel of Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 and Engineering Company Rotation 5, both currently undergoing pre-deployment training.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on June 8, VNDPKO’s Director Major General Pham Manh Thang said that the exchange provides essential knowledge and practical experience on the use of force and mental health issues for Vietnamese personnel preparing for deployment. The program aims to strengthen operational capabilities, enhance safety and security during missions, and improve participants’ ability to recognize and address psychological challenges, occupational stress, and trauma encountered in complex operational environments.
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The event sees the participation of personnel prepared for deployment and those who have recently completed their peacekeeping missions. |
Through the program, Australian experts are also sharing lessons learned from mission preparation, deployment, and post-deployment reintegration, while providing updates on the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Discussions also cover health considerations, conduct in mission areas, and issues related to gender, peace, and security.
Conducted through group discussions and direct exchanges with experts, the program offers participants practical insights and measures to further improve mission readiness for Vietnamese personnel serving in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Sally Graham, head of the Australian expert delegation, expressed confidence that the exchange would deliver meaningful professional engagement and help strengthen cooperation among regional partners.
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Delegates in a joint photo |
The activity forms part of a three-year plan for 2025-2027 to implement the Vietnam - Australia Peacekeeping Partnership Agreement signed in 2024. The initiative aims to enhance Vietnam’s peacekeeping training capacity and support its goal of becoming one of the leading regional contributors to U.N. peacekeeping operations.
Translated by Tran Hoai