Positive effects to be spread
The participation in the U.N. peacekeeping operations has created positive effects in the field of foreign relations in general and the defense external affairs in particular, contributing to fostering the country’s more comprehensive and deeper integration into the global arena as well as promoting its role in dealing with complicated international issues such as resolving conflicts and keeping peace.
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Female hospital staff of L2FH Rotation 3 honored with U.N. medals for their dedication to peacekeeping missions |
Vietnam has also sent a message of a peace-loving and humanitarian nation, which is always ready to join hands to solve emerging issues with the international community. In addition, this helps Vietnam win supports of the international community and create a firm establishment for the country in early safeguarding of the nation from afar by peaceful means.
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix recently mentioned Vietnam among the countries that have demonstrated their ability to contribute to the U.N. peacekeeping operations. He affirmed that the U.N. hopes to work with other countries, including Vietnam, to improve the effectiveness of peacekeeping. In addition, many other countries, including major powers and partners, have shown their desire to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the field.
The Vietnamese peacekeeping force has a new, creative, and active approach to the U.N. peacekeeping operations, contributing to creating good images of Vietnamese peacekeepers in general and soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army in particular.
Vietnamese officers joining the U.N. peacekeeping operations have actively participated in civilian-military combined activities and supported natives to have a better life.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese “blue beret” doctors have wholeheartedly cared for patients, taught children, sewed face masks to present to locals, and instructed natives how to plant vegetables and cereals. These good deeds have left good images of the country and people of Vietnam among locals.
Vietnam’s effective and qualified participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations
As a new comer to the U.N. peacekeeping operations, Vietnam has received high appreciation from the U.N. and other countries thanks to a strong political commitment to making long-term contribution to the mission.
The National Assembly's adoption of Resolution No.130/2020/QH14 on Vietnam's participation in the U.N. peacekeeping operations is a vivid proof for the Vietnamese Government's commitment to participating in and making long-term contribution to the U.N. peacekeeping operations. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges, Vietnam still ensures its continuous and effective participation in the field as well as implemented pre-deployment training and preparation for the forces sent to U.N. peacekeeping missions.
Vietnam has sent numerous officers while preparing to deploy the Level-two Field Hospital (L2FH) Rotation 4 to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Notably, Vietnam is ready to deploy the first engineering contingent to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
In addition, four Vietnamese officers are working at the U.N. headquarters in New York (the U.S.) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in The Central African Republic (MINUSCA). This is considered a very important step, which displays Vietnam’s proactive participation in and effective contribution to the U.N. peacekeeping operations and affirms the country’s position as a responsible member and a reliable partner of the international community.
On the other hand, the Vietnamese peacekeeping force displays the U.N.’s recognition of the country’s capability in conducting the U.N. joint missions.
Meeting U.N.’s quality requirements and priorities
In the context of increasing threats across the globe, the U.N. peacekeeping forces are required to be more elite.
Vietnam is highly appreciated by the U.N. not only for sending qualified force to U.N. peacekeeping missions but also actively participating in recommended areas such as healthcare, engineering, or contribution to gender equality targets.
Officers and units of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force at the U.N. missions have proved their capabilities, professionalism, and prestige among international colleagues.
Vietnam’s L2FHs has operated effectively, providing healthcare for not only U.N. staff but also local citizens, especially amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ratio of Vietnamese women participating in the U.N. peacekeeping operations is always higher than the target set by the U.N.
Particularly, Vietnam has made a giant step when determining to build a training center of peacekeeping operation with international standards.
Mr. Stein Ellignsen, head of the international lecturers’ delegation, who was in charge of providing a training course for U.N. military observers in September 2021 in Vietnam, said that Vietnam emerges as a provider of professional and reliable force for the U.N. peacekeeping operations.
He hoped that the Vietnam Peacekeeping Training Center under the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations will run smoothly and professionally, contributing to accelerating training activities of U.N. peacekeeping forces in the region. He spoke highly Vietnam’s efforts in organizing international refresher courses on peacekeeping amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vietnam has also received huge support and experience from international partners in various fields such as training, building infrastructure, and preparing equipment and vehicles for the U.N. peacekeeping operations. This assistance is significant to the Vietnamese peacekeeping force in the current context of Vietnam.
The Vietnam’s participation in the U.N. peacekeeping operations has contributed to creating breakthroughs in its international integration and defense external affairs, heightening its status across the globe and bringing practical benefits to the nation.
Translated by Trung Thanh