President Vo Van Thuong attends the departure ceremony of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 and Engineering Team No. 2

President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that the Party and State always trust and are proud of the achievements of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces in recent times.

Chủ tịch nước Võ Văn Thưởng dự Lễ xuất quân của Bệnh viện dã chiến cấp 2 số 5 và Đội Công binh số 2

President Vo Van Thuong attended the ceremony. (Source: VNA)

On the morning of June 29, at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), President Vo Van Thuong attended and delivered a speech of encouragement at the departure ceremony of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 and Engineering Team No. 2 to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and the Abyei region.

Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 (replacing Level 2 Field Hospital No. 4) is on duty in South Sudan. The hospital has 63 comrades (including 11 women), selected from several military regions, army corps, Military Hospital 175, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and several other units.

The participating forces are thoroughly trained in all aspects, including politics, military, technical logistics, medical expertise, and peacekeeping knowledge in line with the actual situation, fully meeting the criteria of the United Nations and the requirements for performing tasks at the Mission.

The 2nd Engineer Team replaces the 1st Engineer Team in the Abyei area. The team has 184 members (including 19 women), mobilized from many military regions, branches, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and units throughout the army. The team is trained in specialized fields such as International Humanitarian Law, sexual violence prevention, explosives identification, engineering expertise exchange, foreign languages, medicine, technical logistics... to meet the requirements of the Mission as well as the requirements of the United Nations.

Along with being fully equipped with means and materials to serve the mission, 100% of the officers and employees of the two units are highly determined and ready to set off to carry out the mission.

Presenting the decision and national flag to the forces at the Departure Ceremony, President Vo Van Thuong commended, acknowledged and highly appreciated the officers, soldiers and blue beret forces of Vietnam, including the officers, staff and soldiers of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 4 and Engineering Team No. 1 for their encouraging results.

The President affirmed that the Party and State always trust and are proud of the achievements of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces in recent times; at the same time, he believes that the units deployed to the replacement Mission will continue the tradition and inherit the achievements of the previous peacekeeping forces, promote their bravery, intelligence and capacity in carrying out the noble tasks assigned by the Party, State, Army and People, meet the requirements of the United Nations, and be worthy of the tradition of Uncle Ho's soldiers in carrying out the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

"The baggage that you carry with you is national pride, solidarity, initiative, creativity, professionalism and the noble qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the new era. With the companionship of the United Nations and friendly countries, the support of international partners, you will make effective and practical contributions to regional and international peace and security, enhance the country's position and prestige; affirm a responsible Vietnam, the Vietnamese people love peace and have a sense of noble duty, the aspiration of all people around the world to live in peace, stability, safety and prosperity," said the President.

President Vo Van Thuong encouraged forces to set out for UN peacekeeping missions. (Source: VNA)

The President emphasized that after nearly 10 years since the Politburo approved the “Overall Plan on Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations”, our country has basically completed the mechanisms, creating a legal basis for sending the Vietnam People’s Army and the Vietnam People’s Public Security Forces to participate in UN peacekeeping operations outside Vietnam. To date, Vietnam has sent 533 officers and professional soldiers to participate in UN peacekeeping operations and has promoted their roles and responsibilities well in their assigned positions and duties.

The achievements of Vietnam's UN peacekeeping force are highly appreciated in many important areas, participating in solving international issues, responding to traditional and non-traditional challenges in the region and the world, contributing to the noble mission, joining hands to realize the "Sustainable Development Goals" and "Millennium Goals" of the United Nations.

In the coming time, President Vo Van Thuong requested the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and forces and individuals assigned to peacekeeping tasks to fully and deeply grasp the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, especially on foreign affairs and international integration, with the goal of protecting national and ethnic interests, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international laws to which Vietnam is a member.

The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense continue to lead and direct the effective implementation of the Master Plan on Vietnam's participation in United Nations peacekeeping activities and Resolution No. 130 of the National Assembly on participating in the United Nations peacekeeping force.

Along with the task of ensuring the highest level of security and safety for Vietnamese forces participating in UN peacekeeping, the President requested to improve the operational efficiency of Vietnamese forces in mission areas; actively research and advise on strategies to gradually participate more deeply, expand forces, areas, and participating positions, especially command and management positions at the UN Headquarters and mission areas where Vietnam has strengths such as military control forces, communications, helicopter transport, etc.

At the same time, create a sustainable force source, increase the proportion of female soldiers participating in the force, and meet the United Nations' Gender Equality Strategy for the 2018-2028 period.

President Vo Van Thuong and forces depart for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. (Source: VNA)

The President also proposed improving the quality of force preparation and training in all aspects, especially in peacekeeping expertise and skills; promoting proactiveness, creativity, self-reliance and proactive adaptation in performing tasks at missions in difficult conditions under the United Nations' "Action for Peace" initiative.

Acknowledging that Vietnam's participation in UN peacekeeping activities is entering a new phase, with a new mindset, new opportunities and challenges, the President believes that with the correct leadership and direction, the efforts and determination of agencies and forces, inheriting and promoting the traditions of the nation and the Vietnam People's Army, Vietnam's UN peacekeeping forces will strive, be brave and resilient to overcome all difficulties and excellently perform the assigned tasks.

Sending best wishes to the troops for a “safe journey”, “a successful deployment”, and being worthy of being “ambassadors of peace and friendship”, the President took this opportunity to express his sincere thanks to the United Nations, international partners and peace-loving people around the world for actively supporting Vietnam in the process of preparing forces and implementing peacekeeping missions at United Nations peacekeeping missions.

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