(Illustrative photo)

At an informal discussion on the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Initiative and COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Mr. Quy underlined the coordination between UN missions and the host countries in ensuring security and safety for peacekeepers and the COVID-19 vaccination for them. He said Vietnam is committed to the UN’s peacekeeping operations and efforts towards improving peacekeeping effectiveness.

He called on the international community to provide suitable resources to fulfill political commitments, strengthen partnership between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations, promote women’s empowerment and participation, and ensure security and safety for peacekeepers.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Republic of Korea, Ethiopia and Norway with the participation of over 50 ambassadors and deputy ambassadors of UN member states. Delegates discussed the A4P implementation in the new period, the need to increase the participation of female peacekeepers, promote women’s programs, and IT application. They discussed the COVID-19 vaccination program for peacekeepers as well as budget shortage and the role and responsibility of involved parties.

The A4P was initiated by UN Secretary-General António Gutteres in 2018 to strengthen peacekeeping by spurring collective action by all peacekeeping stakeholders and foster political commitments to peacekeeping. The initiative includes a set of 45 mutually-agreed commitments endorsed by more than 154 member states.