Vietnam Expands UN Peacekeeping Contributions, Strengthening International Cooperation

Vietnam is set to expand its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations (PKO) by introducing seven new types of units. These include mechanized infantry/base protection, Level-2 field hospitals, engineering, military police, communications, transport helicopters, and airfield support. Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence, stated that Vietnam has deployed 1,352 military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping missions over the past decade. This expansion aims to deepen the country's international contributions while enhancing its own peacekeeping capabilities and aligning with international standards. Vietnam is also focusing on strengthening self-reliance and standardizing specialized training courses, having established its first International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) Training Centre. These efforts are foundational for Vietnam to play a more significant role in UN PKO. Furthermore, Vietnam emphasizes its participation in humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions, which Major General Ty, head of the Vietnamese military mission to Venezuela, stressed reflects its commitment to international solidarity and humanitarian responsibility. Under its one-party system, Vietnam balances its international obligations with domestic development, and its active participation in PKO is seen as contributing to its enhanced standing in the global community. In recent years, Vietnam has been deepening its international cooperation alongside its sustained economic growth. Particularly with the complex situation in the East Sea, its representation at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term holds significant importance for protecting maritime interests. Moreover, cooperation with Japan in areas like education and human resource development, exemplified by the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU) project, is progressing, raising expectations for Vietnam's contribution to cultivating international professionals. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on June 27 stressed the need to strictly adhere to implementation schedules for key national transport projects, saying that deadlines must not be extended unless there are objective reasons. Vietnam's representation at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term carries particular significance given the complex situation in the East Sea, where overlapping maritime claims and disputes continue to exist. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has reiterated Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s view that Vietnam must create a new breakthrough in institutional framework and legislation, turning them into a growth driver. Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau highly valued Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Takebe's more than three decades of contributions to promoting Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation, particularly in people-to-people exchanges, local-level cooperation, education and human resource development, with the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU) project standing out as a flagship initiative. The delegation paid a courtesy call on Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Judith Cummins at the UK Parliament, during which the two sides welcomed the development of the two countries' relations, and agreed to strengthen cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the UK Parliament. The ICAPP leadership and Standing Committee members welcomed Vietnam's proposal, calling it an important milestone that would strengthen ICAPP's role and promote cooperation among Asian political parties. Nam expressed his appreciation for the support and efforts of the Interparliamentary Friendship Group and Helebrant personally in strengthening cooperation between the two legislative bodies, helping to serve as a bridge of friendship and deepen the Vietnam–Czech Republic Strategic Partnership. The two sides agreed to push ahead with implementing their 2021–2030 cooperation strategy and the 2025–2028 medium-term cooperation plan. The appointment is expected to strengthen Vietnam’s consular representation network in Belgium – a country that plays an important role within the European Union (EU). Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's receptions for the outgoing Palestinian and Korean ambassadors, the 13th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union wrapping up, and a press conference on the Festival for Peace 2026 are among news highlights on June 25 evening. The General Secretary and President affirmed that the two countries have become reliable partners, cooperating closely at the strategic level and being close friends who understand each other. The activity not only helped enhance the effectiveness of border management and sovereignty protection but also strengthened coordination, mutual trust and the special friendship and solidarity between the border protection forces of Vietnam and Laos. The top leader requested ministries and sectors to complete the establishment and standardisation of specialised databases and urgently connect them with the National Data Centre. Two consecutive earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, leaving at least 164 people dead and causing extensive damage to buildings near the capital, where residents and emergency services are hastening efforts to locate thousands of missing people. The joint patrol covered the area between border markers No. 1055 and No. 1059. It reflected the friendship, mutual understanding and trust between the two sides in coordinating border management and protection, while reaffirming their commitment to maintaining regular joint patrols, exchanges and consultation mechanisms. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.