To Increase The Number Of UN Troops, Foreign Minister Retno: Indonesia Is Ready To Increase Peacekeepers Capacity And Training

Illustration of the Garuda Indonesia contingent troops on a UN peacekeeping mission. (Wikimedia Commons/3116 akbarur ilmi)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is committed to increasing the number as well as increasing the training and capacity of peacekeepers in UN missions, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno in the virtual 4th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial (UNPM) with the theme 'Partnership in Training and Capacity Building', last Tuesday.

"The commitment to promote training and capacity building for peacekeepers is absolutely necessary to support the mission's mandate and ensure their safety," said Foreign Minister Retno in a written statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, December 8.

Indonesia's contribution commitment conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno consisted of adding about 1,000 personnel and strengthening the capacity of peacekeepers. In particular, Foreign Minister Retno conveyed that training and capacity building were needed to support peacekeepers who often work in often dangerous situations.

For this reason, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized two important things that need to be done to support training and capacity building for peacekeepers. First, training and capacity building must be in accordance with the needs in the field.

"In a time of pandemic like today, our peacekeepers have additional duties. They must be able to support the country where the mission is to handle the pandemic. This is where knowledge about community health is important," explained Foreign Minister Retno.

The second thing that Foreign Minister Retno emphasized is the importance of investment across the country for innovative partnerships. He explained that the Triangular Partnership Project (TPP) which will take place in Indonesia in 2022 is a form of Indonesia's contribution in supporting partnership innovation. "Strengthening this innovative partnership also needs to be done to increase the capacity of female peacekeepers, especially in protecting civilians," concluded Foreign Minister Retno.

South Korea hosted the UNPM this time, which was attended by more than 50 countries. The meeting opened with remarks from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense of South Korea and the Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres.

To note, since the first time sending peacekeepers on the Garuda I contingent mission which departed for Egypt on January 8, 1957 ago, Indonesia has been included in the top 10 countries with the largest number of peacekeepers.

"The number of troops (the UN peacekeeping force from Indonesia) is 2,818 people. We are ranked 8th for 3 consecutive years. Meanwhile, if we have entered the top 10 it has been the last four years," explained the Indonesian LBBP Ambassador to the United Nations, WTO and other international organizations in Geneva. Febrian A. Ruddyard in a statement to VOI.

UNPM is the largest international meeting to discuss various UN Peace Mission issues. This meeting was preceded by 4 (four) preparatory meetings, where Indonesia was one of the countries that chaired the preliminary meeting with the theme 'Partnership, Training and Capacity Building.'