On 1/10, the Ministry of National Defense presented presidential decisions to Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Trung Kien and Major Do Huyen Trang for their assignments at United Nations Headquarters. Both officers successfully navigated the organization's rigorous selection process for expert roles.

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Trung Kien, an assistant at the Planning and Staff Department of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, will serve as an expert in military performance evaluation and accountability reporting.

Major Do Huyen Trang, an assistant at the Training Department of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, will assume the position of military expert at the Office of the Special Coordinator for improved response to sexual exploitation and abuse (OSCSEA).

The Ministry of National Defense highlighted that the selection of these two officers signifies a notable advancement in the professional capabilities of Vietnam's peacekeeping force. This deployment also ensures the continued presence of Vietnam People's Army (VPA) officers at United Nations Headquarters, following the completion of previous officers' terms.

Four officers receive decisions for United Nations peacekeeping missions, 1/10. *Photo: Hoang Phong*

In a related development, two other officers received decisions for military observer roles in the UNISFA mission in the Abyei area. These are Lieutenant Colonel Pham Thi Nguyet Minh, formerly an English lecturer at the Foreign Language Faculty of the Political Academy, and Captain Vo Van Thien, formerly a lecturer at the Tactics Faculty of Army Officer Training School 2.

Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, explained the comprehensive preparation process. The department collaborated with various agencies and units to select, train, and prepare the four officers, aligning with position requirements and personnel development plans. All selected officers are well-trained, possess professional competence, and have relevant experience for their United Nations assignments. They have demonstrated steadfast political resolve and strict organizational discipline.

Senior Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, urged the officers to quickly settle into their new environments. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding their roles, duties, operational mechanisms, and working relationships, while proactively leveraging their capabilities to fulfill their missions.

Prior to this latest deployment, five officers from the Vietnam People's Army and Vietnam People's Public Security (VPPS) were already serving at United Nations Headquarters. Beyond individual officers, the VPA also deployed Engineering Team 5, comprising 184 personnel, to Abyei from 22/9.

Son Ha