Vietnam-Held Conference on East Asia-Pacific Prosperity Highly Valued by Japan

The CEPPP is an activity under the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (PKO-EWG) Cycle 4. Photo: VNA

Matsuzawa Tomoko, Director for Defense Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region at the Japanese Ministry of Defense, acknowledged the efforts of Vietnam’s Defense Ministry and the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations as co-chairs of the event, according to the Nhan dan (People) Newspaper.

The CEPPP is an activity under the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (PKO-EWG) Cycle 4, which took place on September 13-21. It brought together nearly 300 experts, trainees, and observers from ADMM-Plus member countries.

Tomoko highlighted the close cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the preparation for CEPPP, ensuring the program’s benefits for all participating members.

She stated that the CEPPP has successfully achieved its goal of promoting cooperation among participating nations, as observed through daily contact and the participation in theoretical and training sessions.

A first aid drill for engineer forces injured while clearing bombs, mines and explosive materials. Photo: VNA

Tomoko highlighted the significance of CEPPP, which involved three forces – military observers, engineers, and medical workers at the tactical level. The program provided an opportunity for Vietnam, Japan, and other ADMM-Plus members to improve their capacity, coordination, and cooperation in UN peacekeeping missions.

She particularly emphasized the contributions of female military officers in raising awareness on gender views and increasing female officers’ participation in UN peacekeeping missions, in line with the goals of Cycle 4.

Tomoko expressed her hope for further cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in peacekeeping activities and for ADMM-Plus State members to use the experiences and knowledge gained at CEPPP 2033 to contribute to global peace and security.

On September 25, the Ministry of National Defense handed over the State President’s decisions to three officers who will join the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), as reported by VietnamPlus.

At the decision hand-over ceremony. Photo: VNA

The three officers are Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen My Hanh and Captain Pham Thi Mai Ngan, who will serve at UNISFA, and Major Hoang Van Kien, who will be deployed to UNMISS.

Kien will depart for the UN mission on September 28, while the other two are scheduled to leave Vietnam in early October, according to Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Speaking at the event, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), urged the department to continue selecting personnel for UN forces in compliance with regulations and develop a suitable roadmap to enhance foreign language skills for Vietnamese peacekeepers.

To date, Vietnam has deployed 786 officers to UN peacekeeping missions in Abyei, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the UN Headquarters.