Vietnam learns peacekeeping experience The first international workshop on sending forces to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions was held in Hanoi on July 27, offering Vietnam a great opportunity to learn from others’ experience in UN peacekeeping activities. The event was held by the Vietnamese Peacekeeping Centre (VPC) in collaboration with the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) under the United States Department of State from July 27-31. Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh said the workshop showed Vietnam’s determination and responsibility to take part in UN peacekeeping missions. It was also evidence of the assistance and cooperation the US, the UN and other countries are offering Vietnam, a newcomer in peacekeeping missions. Vinh hoped the US and countries would frequently cooperate and assist the VPC in training officials, managing resources and increasing experience in this area. Ted Osius, US Ambassador to Vietnam, considered the event as another positive and important step towards realising Vietnam’s determination to join in UN peacekeeping missions. Once officially established, the VPC will help Vietnam increase trainings, manage resources and cooperate with other partners to ensure capable global peacekeeping staff, the ambassador said. The two armies will build partnership and share experience in medicine to support Vietnam’s goal of providing level 2 field hospital for UN missions in the future. Through cooperation between the two armies, English training and conferences, the US will continue support Vietnam’s commitments to maintaining peace in the region and the world. The ambassador also wished to work closely with the Ministry of Defence and the VPC to broaden Vietnam’s contributions to global peacekeeping missions. According to Colonel Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the VPC, the centre has sent seven officials to individually participate in missions in South Sudan and Central Africa. The centre is training medical staff in hospitals in Hanoi and HCM City for field hospitals. VNA