Vietnamese ambassador to the UN Dang Dinh Quy has emphasised the need to offer Covid-19 vaccine to peacekeepers, particularly those at high risk, such as medical workers at field hospitals and forces operating in areas severely hit by the pandemic.

He underlined the responsibility and role of host countries as well as the importance of close coordination between UN missions and the host countries in ensuring security and safety for peacekeepers and Covid-19 vaccination for them during an informal discussion on the Initiative on Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and Covid-19 vaccine on February 12.

Quy said Vietnam was committed to the UN’s peacekeeping operations and efforts towards improving peacekeeping effectiveness.

The ambassador called on the international community to provide suitable resources to fulfil 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 discussion was co-chaired by South Korea, Ethiopia and Norway with the UN undersecretary-general for peace operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, undersecretary-general for operational support Atul Khare, assistant secretary-general for human resources Martha Helena Lopez and more than 50 ambassadors and deputy ambassadors of UN member states in attendance.

A4P was initiated by UN secretary-general Antonio Gutteres on March 28, 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 150 member states across eight areas.

VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK