ASEAN peacekeeping centres look to boost ties in COVID-19 response
A video conference of the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network (APCN) was held by the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VDPO) in Hanoi on July 16, focusing on ways to enhance cooperation among the network’s members in COVID-19 response.
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh speaks at the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network videoconference on July 16 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A video conference of the ASEANPeacekeeping Centres Network (APCN) was held by the Vietnam Department ofPeacekeeping Operations (VDPO) in Hanoi on July 16, focusing on ways to enhancecooperation among the network’s members in COVID-19 response.
This was the first APCN videoconference held byVietnam as APCN Chair and host of the eighth annual APCN general meeting.
The APCN, established in 2011 within the ASEANDefence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) framework, is intended to promote thepartnership in peacekeeping training in ASEAN, thereby helping with the ASEANCommunity building and practically contributing to the UN’s peacekeepingmissions for the sake of a region and a world of peace, cooperation and commondevelopment.
Opening the conference, Deputy Defence MinisterSen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh said the complex developments of COVID-19 haveconsiderably affected defence cooperation activities.
However, he noted, ASEAN countries have beenactively responding to this pandemic in line with the 2020 ASEAN theme of“Cohesive and Responsive”.
Stressing the importance of concurrentlyfighting against COVID-19 and preventing disruptions to peacekeeping activities,VDPO Director Maj. Gen. Hoang Kim Phung said the videoconference aimed to makeall-round preparations for peacekeeping forces to stay ready to take part inthe UN’s joint efforts to perform their duties and combat the pandemic in theareas the missions are based in.
He also expressed his belief that the APCN wouldadopt a suitable approach in the bloc’s spirit of “Cohesive and Responsive” sothat the member countries can together maintain and enhance effectivecooperation in UN peacekeeping activities amid complex developments ofCOVID-19.
At the event, participants looked into ways toreinforce ties among APCN members in the face of the pandemic, the Vietnamesearmy’s experience in COVID-19 prevention and control, and disease preventionmeasures for UN peacekeeping forces. They also got updates on the diseasesituation at UN peacekeeping missions./.
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Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh speaks at the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network videoconference on July 16 (Photo: VNA) 
