The 78th National Day celebration was organized elaborately and enthusiastically by Vietnamese peacekeepers with the participation of many international friends.
Joining in the atmosphere of celebrating the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, the Engineering Team No. 2 of the Vietnamese Peacekeeping Force at the UNISFA Mission, Abyei held a meeting.
This special ceremony was attended by about 500 guests, including Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, Commander of the Mission; representatives of the Mission agencies, units stationed in the area and local authorities. The ceremony was also attended by all Vietnamese forces performing UN peacekeeping missions in Abyei.
Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung welcomed Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr.
The ceremony took place in a warm and solemn atmosphere with a flag-raising ceremony. All officers, soldiers and employees of the Engineering Team were moved to turn to the Fatherland with pride and gratitude to the previous generations who sacrificed to protect the country and regain independence and sovereignty for the nation.
Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung, Commander of the Vietnamese force participating in UN peacekeeping operations at the UNISFA mission in Abyei, reviewed the 78th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, the process of building and developing Vietnam, and the achievements Vietnam has made in recent years.
Vietnam has always actively supported and strived for peace, equal relations and prosperity in the region and the world according to President Ho Chi Minh's ideology. That is, it is necessary to link national independence with international solidarity; to use the spirit of goodwill and peace to resolve disagreements, on the basis of linking national interests with the interests of countries in the region and the common interests of progressive humanity.
Delegates cut the cake to celebrate Vietnam National Day.
Over the years, the United Nations has recognized Vietnam as one of the leading countries in realizing the millennium goals, especially in poverty reduction, gender equality, health care and education.
Regarding the mission of participating in the UN peacekeeping mission, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres highly appreciated Vietnam's contributions in the process of joining the UN since 1977. It is not until recently that Vietnam has expressed its desire to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission. In 1946, President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the UN expressing his wish for Vietnam to become a member of the organization.
Over the years, Vietnam has always promoted the spirit of “being a friend, a reliable and responsible partner of the international community”. During more than 1 year of deployment at the UNISFA mission, the Vietnamese peacekeeping force has closely coordinated with the mission to consolidate and build Abyei into a better land, helping the people here have better living conditions and children have a better education.
The Vietnamese Engineer Team No. 2, which has just been deployed to the UNISFA mission, has quickly approached, inherited and further promoted the achieved results, for the common mission of the United Nations.
Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung emphasized that in the coming time, there will be many difficulties and hardships in terms of climate, human resources, materials, etc. However, with high spirit and determination, the Vietnamese peacekeeping force and the Engineering Team will excellently complete all assigned tasks.
On behalf of the UNISFA mission leadership, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr sent congratulations to the country, people, Vietnam People's Army and Vietnam peacekeeping forces on the occasion of National Day September 2.
Major General Sawyerr shared that today's ceremony is special because it comes from a heroic country written by the Vietnamese people: "In history, Vietnam has gone through many years of persistent struggle and gained national independence. That has helped you understand the value of peace".
Today, he said, Vietnamese peacekeepers are coming to the aid of people in some of the world’s most “vulnerable” areas. Thousands of miles away from Vietnam, in places like Abyei, Vietnamese men and women are working to bring peace, hope and a chance for a better life to the disadvantaged.
Major General Sawyerr shared that Vietnam is an important contributor to UNISFA, with the number of female peacekeepers more than double the global average. Meanwhile, many peacekeepers from other countries do not have a single female member. On this occasion, he dedicated a special “thank you” to Vietnamese female peacekeepers for their sacrifice.
He also expressed his joy that the Government and people of Abyei appreciated what the Vietnamese peacekeeping force and Engineering Team No. 2 had done.
"The Abyei region is facing conflict, poverty.... We need everyone to join hands to gradually bring peace, stability and prosperity to Abyei. The delegation leader and I are ready to join Vietnam and you to do this. Vietnam has come a long way and UNISFA is proud to be your partner", Major General Sawyerr emphasized.
At the end of the speech, the UNISFA mission leader and all delegates attending the ceremony shouted "Forward, forward together!" - similar to the lyrics of the Vietnamese National Anthem "Forward, forward together!".
International guests and Vietnamese soldiers danced Xoang - a Vietnamese communal dance.
At the ceremony, international guests and friends experienced Vietnamese cuisine through traditional dishes prepared by Vietnamese officers. The Engineering Team prepared 1,800 spring rolls (3 types of fillings: beef, chicken and vegetarian spring rolls), which were especially loved by international guests and enjoyed all of them.
Along with that, there were art performances and martial arts performances introducing the country, people and culture of Vietnam, leaving a deep impression, helping international friends understand more about National Day and Vietnam.
At the end of the ceremony, delegates expressed their excitement with gifts of hats, T-shirts printed with the Vietnamese flag and conical hats.
Photo: Tran Thinh
Vietnamnet.vn
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