Malaysian expert: Vietnam actively participates in UN peacekeeping activities

Historian Enzo Sim Hong Jun of the Penang Institute of Studies (Malaysia) answers questions from a VNA reporter in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: An Nguyen/VNA

Looking back at the entire historical process of Vietnam's struggle for independence, researcher Enzo argues that President Ho Chi Minh made the crucial decision to establish the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army, the predecessor of the Vietnam People's Army, on December 22, 1944. The name "People's Army," chosen by President Ho Chi Minh, signifies an army "from the people, for the people."

According to researcher Enzo, although President Ho Chi Minh did not witness the unification of Vietnam, his spirit and valuable lessons live on, guiding the Vietnam People's Army in its continued struggle against the United States. He affirmed that both the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh played a central role in Vietnam's struggle for independence.

Referring to the role and contributions of the Vietnam People's Army in humanitarian missions and United Nations peacekeeping operations, researcher Enzo assessed that Vietnam actively participates in UN peacekeeping activities. According to him, the Vietnam People's Army plays a crucial role in restoring peace and order in some of the world's most unstable regions, including Abyei, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, as well as the Department for Peacekeeping Operations at UN headquarters in New York.

Mr. Enzo highlighted the noteworthy point that Vietnamese women account for over 20% of the participants in UN peacekeeping forces. The participation of women in UN peacekeeping operations is essential because female soldiers can serve as role models and strong mentors and advocates for local women – who have been and continue to be victims of violence and conflict. Furthermore, the presence of women allows peacekeeping operations to better reach local populations and distribute UN humanitarian aid.

Mr. Enzo affirmed that, in the context of the fragile peace in these regions, Vietnam, as one of the main contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has become a model for the international community in contributing more to international humanitarian missions and is proof of how a developing country can support less developed countries in "sowing the seeds of peace".

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/chuyen-gia-malaysia-viet-nam-rat-tich-cuc-tham-gia-cac-hoat-dong-gin-giu-hoa-binh-cua-lhq-20241211201511032.htm