KATHMANDU, March 31: Nepal has claimed senior leadership positions both at the United Nations headquarters and in the field missions in course of mobilizing peace keeping missions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel called for Nepali peacekeepers' involvement at higher levels. “I call for more representation of military and police officers from troops and police contributing countries at the senior level leadership both at the UN Headquarters and in the field missions,” said the minister in his address at the UN peacekeeping ministerial conference on uniformed capabilities, performance and protection held in New York.
NA ‘under-represented’ at UN peacekeeping command levels
Minister Pokhrel said Nepal is ready to contribute up to 10,000 troops upon the request of the United Nations. Nepal, which has been contributing to UN peacekeeping operations for the last 61 years, is currently the fifth largest troops and police-contributing country.
As of now, Nepal has contributed 140, 836 troops and police in as many as 44 UN peace operations since 1958. A total of 73 Nepali peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives for the noble cause of international peace and stability.
Stating that Nepal has contributed to the capacity building of other member states by co-hosting with the Global Peace Operations Initiative, a two-week long Exercise Shanti Prayas-III, the largest Multi-Platoon Training Event till date with the participation from 34 countries, Minister Pokhrel said Nepal government is ready to offer training opportunities as well as provide its Peacekeeping Training Center's facilities, administrative support and instructors for organizing any capacity building events.
The minister claimed Nepal has delivered on most of the pledges that were made during the previous Peacekeeping Ministerial Conferences and sought bigger roles in the coming days. “Nepal reaffirms its pledge to elevate an Infantry Battalion and a Force Protection Company in the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System for the year 2019-20. Nepal also offers two Formed Police Units and police officers for the year 2019-20,” said Minister Pokhrel.
