Cambodia Launches French Language Training for UN Peacekeeping Forces

Cambodia officially launched its French language training course for the 2026-2027 academic year on June 30, 2026. The initiative is implemented under the framework of cooperation and with the support of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) Asia-Pacific Regional Office and the French Embassy in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Sem Ratana, First Vice President of the National Center for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine Action, and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NCMR) and Acting Director-General. On behalf of the Ministry of National Defence and the National Committee, H.E. Sem Ratana expressed his profound gratitude to the French side for their consistent and active support in training Cambodia's peacekeeping forces. This reflects the close cooperation for the development of human resources, capabilities, and general understanding of Cambodian peacekeepers who are dispatched to participate in peacekeeping missions under the UN umbrella. The Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the National Committee play crucial roles in promoting the development of the security sector, defense, human resource training, and the deployment of Cambodian "Blue Helmets" to humanitarian missions under the UN. H.E. Sem Ratana emphasized that the French language training course for the 2026-2027 academic year demonstrates the National Center's full commitment to enhancing the French language proficiency of our military personnel, as well as improving their understanding and operational communication with French-speaking countries during their missions. He highly praised and valued the cooperation between the instructors, partners, and leaders at all levels who have strived to organize the curriculum and ensure the smooth running of the course. He also urged all trainees to diligently study and absorb as much knowledge as possible from the instructors and strictly adhere to discipline, in order to effectively utilize this knowledge in their future work and duties, especially in peacekeeping missions. To date, Cambodia has deployed a total of 10,723 personnel, including 1,052 women, to UN peacekeeping missions in 12 countries: Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, Central Africa, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Mali, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their specializations include mine clearance, horizontal and vertical engineering, airport engineering, Level 2 hospitals, gendarmerie, explosive ordnance disposal, improvised explosive device (IED) neutralization, staff officers, and observers. Currently, 471 Cambodian personnel, including 84 women, are serving on missions in Lebanon, South Sudan, the Abyei Special Administrative Area, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.