Vietnam co-chairs 15th meeting of Experts' Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations
The 15th Meeting of the Experts' Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (EWG PKO) Cycle 4 for the 2021-2023 period, within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), took place on December 3 via videoconference under the co-chair of Colonel Mac Duc Trong, head of Vietnam EWG PKO and Matsuzawa Tomoko , head of Japan EWG PKO.
Hanoi (VNA) – The 15th Meeting of the Experts' Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (EWG PKO) Cycle 4 for the 2021-2023 period, within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), took place on December 3 via videoconference under the co-chair of Colonel Mac Duc Trong, head of Vietnam EWG PKO and Matsuzawa Tomoko , head of Japan EWG PKO.
Addressing the meeting, Matsuzawa said that pre-deployment training and the improvement of capacity for peacekeeping forces are major discussion contents of the meeting, aiming to prevent threats to the safety of the forces while performing their tasks at the site and ensuring the prestige of the UN mission in the host country.
Sharing Matsuzawa’s idea, Colonel Trong said that amid COVID-19 situation, the work is even more important and become a challenge for countries that send its forces to UN peacekeeping missions.
Colonel Trong asked participants to share their knowledge and experience as well as ideas in pre-deployment training and the improvement of capacity for peacekeeping forces, thus enhancing the operational efficiency of peacekeeping activities of all UN member countries.
Participants at the event discussed a wide range of issues, including methods to improve the quality of pre-deployment training and the activities to improve the capacity of peacekeeping forces amid pandemic situation; measures to increase the number of women peacekeepers; the major contents of the Field Training Exercise (FTX) and the Initial Planning Conference (IPC) for FTX in March 2022 in Vietnam.
The co-chair and active engagement of Vietnam in the meeting reflected the positive and proactive role of the country as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and the co-chair of the EWG PKO Cycle 4 for the 2021-2023 period, affirming the role, prestige and position as well as contributions of Vietnam in multilateral cooperation mechanisms on UN peacekeeping operations./.
Vietnam has called on the United Nations and countries to pay greater attention to ensuring security and safety for UN peacekeeping forces, strengthening the application of information technology in implementing operations, and defining tasks and resources for missions.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has affirmed peacekeeping continues to be an important tool to maintain international peace and security, and the UN police (UNPOL) have well done their assigned tasks and closely coordinated with military and civil units of the mission amidst escalating challenges.
Vietnam’s sapper unit No. 1 and level-2 field hospital No. 4 joining UN peacekeeping operations made their debut at a ceremony held by the Ministry of National Defence in Hanoi on November 17.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) on November 22 presented the President’s decisions to assign 12 officers, including two females, to South Sudan and the Central African Republic to work for the United Nations peacekeeping missions there.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
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.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
