KATHMANDU, Dec 17: Experts have pointed out the need to step up diplomatic initiative to secure higher positions in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO).

Addressing a program organized by Center for South Asian Studies (CSAS) in the capital on Thursday to launch book entitled Nepal's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping, experts argued that Nepal's contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission was not duly recognized even as Nepal always stands as one of the largest troops contributing country to the peace missions.

The presence of Nepal's security officials at the Headquarters of UNPKO and at the field level is not satisfactory. Experts have also pointed out the need to enhance expertise, skills and knowledge of Nepali security officers to increase participation in the higher positions of the UN peace missions.

Former Nepali ambassador Dr Dinesh Bhattarai said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) needs to be further active to lobby to ensure Nepal's position in the higher post of peace missions. "It is necessary to make our foreign service strong. We have to step up diplomatic lobbying through the United Nations to ensure our representation in the senior positions in the peace missions," he said.

Dr Bhattarai said that Nepal has a higher chance of receiving such an opportunity as our participation in the UN peacekeeping mission is not guided by any kind of geopolitical interests. Arguing that five permanent members of the United Nations have bigger responsibility to ensure peace and order at the global level, Dr Bhattarai said that these countries should be prepared to make additional investment to the peacekeeping missions.

Also addressing the function, Director of CSAS Dr Nishchal Nath Pandey said Nepal had to start initiating diplomatic initiatives to ensure Nepal's participation in senior positions of the UN Peacekeeping Operations. 

The book includes articles from various expert writers including former Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali who have highlighted different aspects of Nepal's participation in the UN peace operations. The deliberations of a workshop on Nepal's Contributions to UN Peacekeeping organized jointly by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) of National University of Singapore,  Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) on April 19, 2021 was compiled and given a book shape with the objective to provide reference materials to those interested to make research in the field, according to the organizer.

 
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