At a press conference on 11/7, the Presidential Office announced a new law passed by the National Assembly during its 9th session, officially titled the Law on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
According to Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, peacekeeping personnel will be selected from agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and other ministries, branches, and localities.
Participants will include armed forces officers, professional soldiers, defense workers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and units from the Ministry of National Defense; officers, non-commissioned officers, technical specialists, public security workers, and units from the Ministry of Public Security; and civilian personnel equipped with specialized technical equipment.
A key feature of the new law is the inclusion of civilian personnel. General Chien stated that professionals in fields related to transportation, healthcare, education, communications, and law can now participate in peacekeeping operations. However, they must meet UN criteria and Vietnam's own selection standards.
"Vietnam has the necessary human resources, and now the legal framework is in place for future deployment. This demonstrates Vietnam's responsibility to the international community and diversifies the forms, participants, and types of involvement in mission areas," the Ministry of National Defense leader said.
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Vietnamese peacekeepers during a rescue drill. Photo: Giang Huy |
Vietnamese peacekeepers during a rescue drill. Photo: Giang Huy
Participants will receive training in peacekeeping principles, specialized skills, and pre-deployment preparation based on UN programs. They will also receive language training, gender equality education, and other necessary skills development, including participation in UN peacekeeping training courses.
The Deputy Minister of National Defense explained that the law prioritizes the contributions of those serving in specialized roles, often in challenging, arduous locations far from home, and involving significant risks. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security have jointly developed Circular 32 to ensure appropriate benefits and policies that are superior to those offered domestically.
General Chien stated that meetings have been held with relevant agencies, and units have been instructed to coordinate with ministries and branches to develop decrees ensuring appropriate benefits and standards for peacekeeping personnel, aligned with Vietnam's specific conditions and circumstances.
By the time the Law on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations takes effect on 1/1/2026, the government will have issued a decree outlining specific benefits and policies.
Over the past 11 years, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security have sent over 1,100 personnel to participate in UN peacekeeping missions, both as individuals and as units. Individuals have served as observers, logistics personnel, medical staff, and in social welfare roles. Units have included level-2 field hospitals and engineering teams. In the future, the Ministry of Public Security will also deploy police forces to join UN police contingents.
Son Ha
