Cambodia Thanks Japan for Peacekeeping Training Support, Requests Continued Cooperation

The National Peacekeeping Center (NPMEC) of Cambodia has expressed its profound gratitude for the training assistance provided by Japan's Ministry of Defense, highlighting its crucial role in preparing Cambodian troops for participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). During a working meeting on August 4, 2026, at the NPMEC, Major General Sem Rothna, Acting Director-General of the NPMEC, conveyed his sincere thanks to Lieutenant Colonel SUZUKI Takeshi, Project Management Officer of the Regional Policy Division, Defense Policy Bureau, of Japan's Ministry of Defense. Major General Rothna emphasized that Japan's assistance is vital for training and developing Cambodian forces for UN PKO missions in war-torn countries. He informed Lieutenant Colonel SUZUKI Takeshi that all aid from the Japanese side to the NPMEC is extremely important for training and developing Cambodian forces for participation in UN peacekeeping missions in war-torn countries. Since 2006, Cambodia has dispatched 10,440 personnel (988 women) to 12 missions in 10 countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, Chad, the Central African Republic, Syria, Mali, Yemen, and the Congo. Their expertise covers mine clearance, gendarmerie, Level 2 medical services, unexploded ordnance disposal, airport engineering, horizontal and vertical construction engineering, staff officers, and observer officers. Currently, 627 Cambodian personnel (135 women) are serving in four countries: South Sudan, Lebanon, the Central African Republic, and the Congo. On this occasion, Major General Rothna requested that Japan continue to provide training for the next five years in topography surveying and horizontal-vertical construction. He also asked for continued training for Cambodian instructors based on the actual conditions of mission areas to strengthen capabilities before the deployment of Cambodian engineering units for UN missions. Furthermore, he requested short-to-medium term advanced training opportunities in Japan for outstanding trainees under the tutelage of Japanese military instructors. He also proposed training in surveying skills, both theoretical and practical, using modern machinery and drones to respond to current complex situations. Annual exchanges between the two countries and participation in joint events were also suggested. In terms of training cooperation, Japan has provided a total of 12 in-country training courses for 265 trainees in civil construction engineering and surveying techniques. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan provided online training to five instructors. Seven trainees have received training in horizontal construction engineering and explosives abroad. Source: AKP Khmer