Viet Nam is ready to contribute more to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations, said Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, presented certificate for Major Do Thi Hoa Nga in October on the occassion of her becoming the first Vietnamese female officer to join the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. — VNA/VNS Photo An Dang

Vinh made the commitment at a workshop to strengthen the role of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) member states in enhancing peacekeeping capacity and developing partnership with the UN, organised by the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Centre, and the Embassies of Canada and the Republic of Korea in Ha Noi on 19 - 20 December.

The senior officer highlighted the significance of the event, affirming that Viet Nam was working to improve its ability in peacekeeping operations with its internal forces and support from other countries, especially ARF members.

Viet Nam wanted to propose initiatives on connecting regional peacekeeping centres, he said, adding that the sharing of experience and training and equipment assistance had improved Viet Nam’s ability in the field.

Barbara Nadeau, Charge d’affaires of the Canadian Embassy in Viet Nam, affirmed ASEAN’s role in making security policies in the region.

She also underlined the need to seek more effective measures to deal with conflicts in the world.

Meanwhile, Lee Miyon, Envoy at the Republic of Korea Embassy in Viet Nam, stressed the important role played by the UN in addressing complex security issues and extremism.

At the 2-day workshop, participants, including those from 26 ARF member nations, the European Union and international organisations, will share experience, views and lessons related to UN peacekeeping operations as well as measures to promote co-operation and improve ARF member nations’ capacity in the work.

Initiatives to develop links between ARF member states and the UN in peacekeeping operations are also on the table.

(Source: VNS)