The nation pledged to further boost ASEAN-UN co-operation in peacekeeping operations during an online meeting of the UN Security Council regarding security, with UN Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operation (DPKO) Jean-Pierre Lacroix in attendance.

Lacroix said that despite facing numerous difficulties, especially the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, UN peacekeeping operations were still guaranteed to be carried out.

Most notably, reforms outlined in the UN Secretary-General's Initiative on Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) have enjoyed great success. The UN Deputy Secretary General therefore asked the missions to focus on long-term solutions, whilst applying technology and innovative measures in a bid to improve efficiency, while calling for closer co-operation of all parties, as well as partner, to realise peacekeeping operations.

Members of the UN Security Council expressed their great appreciation for UN peacekeeping operations that have contributed to maintaining international peace and security, with many emphasising their support for the UN Chief’s A4P.

Participants also condemned attacks carried out against peacekeepers, whilst underscoring the importance of ensuring that the missions are conducted in the correct manner, enhancing transparency and accountability, whilst also facilitating the implementation of the agenda for women, peace, and security.

Furthermore, various countries called on the UN to secure sufficient resources to carry out peacekeeping operations.

During his address, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnam Delegation to the UN, highlighted peacekeeping operations as an important instrument used by the UN to maintain international peace and security.

The Vietnamese diplomate applauded the contributions made by peacekeeping forces, in addition to efforts to reform peacekeeping activities in the development process, including the A4P.       

Amid the ongoing obstruction and attacks launched against peacekeeping forces, the Ambassador urged related parties to respect the duties of peacekeeping forces, going on to suggest that countries take into account their crucial roles in peacekeeping activities. Indeed, this should be done to ensure consultation and to receive the consent of stakeholders when promoting the political process.

More than half of active missions have been going on for over 20 years, with some lasting as long as 70 years, due to peace processes remaining in deadlock. Ambassador Quy therefore suggested that an overview assessment of the missions is needed, with a particular focus on capacity-building tasks and a transition to self-governance for host nations.

Moreover, the Ambassador went on to suggest that the international community should ensure sufficient resources for peacekeeping activities.

Currently, the UN has 13 peacekeeping missions, 15 special political missions, and 11 active special envoys, with the total operational force at peacekeeping and political missions standing at 115,000. At the 13 peacekeeping missions, there are a total of 81,370 people, including 69,230 soldiers, and 8,942 police, with female soldiers accounting for 4.7% of the total, whilst female police make up 10.8%.

Vietnam has sent 73 military personnel, including 12 women, accounting for 16% of the total, to participate in peacekeeping operations in two ongoing missions in South Sudan and Central Africa.