Nepal ready to manage 10,000 army personnel for UN peacekeeping efforts: DPM Khadka

Published On: December 7, 2023 09:30 AM NPT By: RSS

KATHMANDU, Dec 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has said Nepal is committed to manage as many as 10,000 army personnel for the UN peacekeeping operations around the world.

Nepal has fulfilled most of the commitments relating to international peacekeeping and is working to meet the remaining ones, DPM Khadka said while addressing a UN ministerial level conference on international peacekeeping in Ghana.

He extended thanks to the Ghana government for hosting the summit and reminded that Nepal has been supporting the 'Action for Peace' and 'Action for Peace Plus' programmes launched by the UN Secretary General. Khadka also viewed that these programs are committed for the security of military persons and civilians.

"Nepal has kept its army standby for any adversity. We are sure that they meet the norms and disciplines of the peace keeping armies. We have adopted zero tolerance against sex abuse and exploitation," DPM Khadka shared in the mega meeting.

According to him, Nepal believes in improved coordination mechanisms among major stakeholders, including TPCC so that peace keeping would be made more effective. He also urged all concerned to be united for achieving the target through partnership.

Moreover, the DPM shared that Nepal had increased meaningful participation of women in military roles to achieve the goal of gender equality strategy forwarded by the UN Secretary General.

"We are committed to use and promote renewable energy to reduce environmental footprint in the peace keeping mission. We use renewable energy in the partnership of UNMISS and the training center," he mentioned.

Nepal has been contributing to the UN peacekeeping mission relentlessly since 1958. Nepal is the second largest country in the number of security persons mobilized in peacekeeping missions across the globe.

The summit began on Tuesday under the theme of 'peace begins with me' and has the participation of representatives from some 90 countries.