UN military observer training course opens in Hanoi

The ceremony was co-organized by the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VDPO), the U.S. Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), and U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation.

Lasting from October 6 to 27 in the capital, the training course aims to equip military officers of the People's Army of Vietnam with specialized knowledge and skills in carrying out the duties of military observers deployed to U.N. peacekeeping missions. Additionally, the program provides an opportunity to enhance cooperation between Vietnam, the U.S., and international partners in the field of peacekeeping.

The training includes theoretical and practical components covering the legal framework for U.N. peacekeeping activities, the roles and responsibilities of military observers in a peacekeeping mission, civilian-military coordination, human rights, and communications management, among many other issues.

In his opening remarks, Colonel Nguyen Ba Hung, deputy head of the VDPO, expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation, GPOI instructors and coordinators, international and Vietnamese participants for their valuable contributions to this course.

Harley Alves, head of the GPOI team of international instructors, highlighted the significance of the course and stated that it is one of the most necessary and important courses for countries contributing to peacekeeping activities. It provides essential knowledge for real-world mission assignments at U.N. missions.

Alves also praised Vietnam for successfully implementing the Competency Evaluation Programme for Prospective United Nations Peacekeepers (CEPPP) in September, demonstrating its capabilities and commitment to participating in the mission.