PHNOM PENH: Senate president Hun Sen has marked the 70th anniversary of Cambodia’s membership of the UN with a Dec 14 congratulatory message to the kingdom’s peacekeepers.
“Cambodia has actively participated in peacekeeping and stability operations. For more than 10 years, our country has deployed blue-helmet peacekeeping troops overseas, including both female and male personnel, to countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, the Central African Republic, Syria, Cyprus, Mali and others,” he said.
In recent years, the kingdom has also been recognised as one of the leading countries in providing opportunities for female peacekeepers.
Since 2006, Cambodia has deployed 10,191 blue-helmet peacekeepers, including 946 women, to 10 countries across 12 mission areas, including Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, Chad, Cyprus, Syria, Mali, the Central African Republic, Yemen and Congo.
These forces possess expertise in mine clearance, gendarmerie operations, level-2 medical services, unexploded ordnance disposal, airport and construction engineering, staff officers and military observers.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has identified continued participation in UN peacekeeping missions as a policy priority, aiming to contribute to the international community’s efforts to bring peace to countries whose populations are suffering due to war.
Despite facing armed conflict, Cambodia continues to deploy blue-helmet peacekeepers to support peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
