Vietnam’s People's Public Security Force Actively Contributes to UN Peacekeeping Operations
	Vietnam Leaves Imprints on the World Peacekeeping Map

The forum brought together prominent leaders and experts, including Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, Deputy Minister of Public Security; Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Faisal Shahkar, UN Police Adviser and Director of the UN Police Division; and Angela Pratt, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam. Also in attendance were ambassadors, senior military and police officials, and representatives from international organizations.

The Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has proactively implemented policies and strategies to enhance the participation of female People's Police officers in UN peacekeeping operations. (Photo: UN Women Vietnam)

In his opening remarks, Senior Lieutenant General Dr. Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Minister of Public Security, emphasized the persistent gender gap in global peacekeeping efforts. “According to the UN Women Report (2023), the proportion of women in global peacekeeping police forces remains at only around 10%. Meanwhile, the target is to raise this figure to at least 25% by 2028. This reflects the persistent institutional, social, and organizational barriers to fully unlocking the potential and role of female officers in this field,” he noted.

He affirmed Vietnam’s proactive approach in promoting female police participation, saying, “The Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has proactively implemented policies and strategies to enhance the participation of female People's Police officers in UN peacekeeping operations, not only as a demonstration of our commitment to international obligations, but also as a reflection of Vietnam’s forward-looking, human-centered, and modern approach to security and global integration.”

Vietnam has made steady progress since becoming a contributor to UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKOs) in 2014. To date, the country has deployed nearly 1,100 military and police personnel, with women accounting for approximately 16%. Since 2023, the Ministry of Public Security has deployed Peacekeeping Police Unit No. 1, which includes 180 trained officers, 35 of whom are women (19.4%). Among the 15 Vietnamese police officers currently serving in South Sudan, Abyei, and UN headquarters, five are women.

The Forum featured discussions on international trends, national policies, and practical experiences in enhancing women’s participation in peace operations. Speakers included senior Vietnamese officials, representatives of UN agencies, diplomatic missions, and peacekeepers with experience in deployment. The event also examined policy gaps and proposed actionable solutions to increase the presence of women in UNPKOs.

“The inclusion of uniformed women is not only a matter of equity but of operational excellence,” said Angela Pratt. “Vietnam has exceeded the global benchmark for the deployment of policewomen to UN peacekeeping. We urge Vietnam to scale up further its efforts, including in leadership roles and mission-critical functions.”

The Forum reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to implementing its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2024–2030). (Photo: UN Women Vietnam)

The Forum reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to implementing its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2024–2030), aligning with the broader goals of the UN Pact for the Future. This plan emphasizes the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all peace-related processes.

UN Women and the broader UN system in Vietnam reiterated their continued support for Vietnam’s peacekeeping ambitions, pledging technical assistance, capacity building, and access to funding opportunities such as the Elsie Initiative Fund.

The event concluded with a strong call for gender-responsive leadership, institutional reform, and coherent policies to accelerate gender equality in peace and security, highlighting Vietnam’s growing role as a responsible and proactive contributor to global peacekeeping.

Vietnam Consistently Implements a National Defense Policy of Peace and Self-defense Vietnam consistently and transparently implements its national defense policy of peace and self-defense, always choosing and standing on the side of justice.

Vietnam, UN Strengthen Cooperation in Peacekeeping Operations Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang and UN Deputy Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix agreed to strengthen Vietnam and United Nations cooperation in peacekeeping, prioritizing increasing the proportion of ...