Competency evaluation programme for prospective UN peacekeepers opens in Hanoi
A ceremony was held in Hanoi on September 13 to open the competency evaluation programme for prospective United Nations peacekeepers (CEPPP) under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations.
Officials at the opening ceremony of the competency evaluation programme for prospective UN peacekeepers in Hanoi on September 13. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony was held in Hanoi on September 13 to open the competency evaluation programme forprospective United Nations peacekeepers (CEPPP) under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations.
The opening ceremony was attended byrepresentatives of the Ministry of National Defence, the embassies and militaryattachés of the ADMM-Plus countries in Vietnam, the ASEAN Secretariat, and 18delegations of the ADMM-Plus countries (Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republicof Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the US, Vietnam, and Japan).
Addressing the event, Sen. Lt. Gen.Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army,said the programme drew the participation of nearly 300 experts, trainees, andobservers from ADMM-Plus members. It is the last activity of the ADMM-Plus Experts’Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 (2021 - 2023) under theco-chairmanship of Vietnam and Japan.
Delegations at the CEPPP opening ceremony in Hanoi on September 13. (Photo: VNA)
This is the first time Vietnam hashosted such a large-scale multilateral activity on UN peacekeeping operations,helping affirm the country’s role, stature, and contributions tomultilateral cooperation mechanisms on UN peacekeeping operations in the regionand within the ADMM-Plus framework, he emphasised.
Co-chairing the Experts’ Working Groupon Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4, Col. Nguyen Nhu Canh, Deputy Director ofthe Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry ofNational Defence, and Matsuzawa Tomoko, Director for Defence Cooperation in theIndo-Pacific region at the Japanese Ministry of Defence and head of the Japaneseexperts’ working group, affirmed that the two sides have coordinated closelyand obtained targets of the events they jointly organised, including theCEPPP.
The CEPPP closing ceremony is slatedfor September 21./.
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Vietnam’s Engineering Unit Rotation 2 left for Abyei on August 8 to carry out the peacekeeping mission of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei. Members of the unit are fully prepared to conduct their assigned duties and responsibilities.
Vietnam’s Military Engineering Unit Rotation 1 returned home on the morning of August 15 after successfully fulfilling its United Nations peacekeeping mission in Abyei, South Sudan. The Ministry of National Defence and the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations warmly welcomed them home in a ceremony at Noi Bai International Airport.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on August 16 handed over the State President’s decision to deploy three more police officers to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Hanoi will for the first time host the end-of-term field training course under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 from September 13-21.
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The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
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The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Officials at the opening ceremony of the competency evaluation programme for prospective UN peacekeepers in Hanoi on September 13. (Photo: VNA) 
Delegations at the CEPPP opening ceremony in Hanoi on September 13. (Photo: VNA) 
