This June, Under-Secretary-General for UN Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix concluded a four-day visit to Viet Nam, reaffirming the UN’s strong partnership with the country and spotlighting Viet Nam’s leadership in promoting women’s participation in peacekeeping.
The visit coincided with Viet Nam’s hosting of an international forum on enhancing the participation of female police officers in UN peacekeeping operations, jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and UN Women. The event brought together over 100 participants from around the world, including high-level national officials, international partners, police peacekeepers, and UN leadership, to identify ways to promote more participation of women in UN peacekeeping.
Women peacekeepers in civilian, military, and police roles have been rising steadily over the last several years but remain underrepresented, despite evidence that peacekeeping missions are more successful when women are meaningfully represented, including at the senior leadership level. Member States play a critical role in helping to address these gaps.
USG Lacroix thanked the Government of Viet Nam for its longstanding commitment to UN Peacekeeping and for championing the UN’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which calls for increased participation of women at all decision-making levels, protection of women and girls from gender-based violence, and the integration of gender perspectives in peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts. He noted the timely significance of the forum as the global community marks 25 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, which laid the foundation for the WPS agenda.
“Viet Nam is a strong supporter of [the Women Peace and Security Agena]” Mr. Lacroix affirmed. “I look forward to continuing to strengthen our already excellent partnership in training, leadership development, and inclusive work environments.”
The forum highlighted Viet Nam’s impressive deployment of female police officers, with women comprising over 30% of its police peacekeepers—exceeding the UN’s minimum target of 20%. Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung underscored the Ministry of Public Security’s proactive policies to empower female officers and integrate gender equality into Viet Nam’s security architecture.
Discussions at the event explored global and national experiences, challenges, and policy gaps related to the deployment of women in peace operations, offering actionable recommendations to further elevate their roles and leadership.
Advancing the WPS agenda is a critical part of initiatives like Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and its implementation strategy, A4P+, which seek to continually strengthen our operations and ensure we can continue to meet evolving security threats.
During his visit, Mr. Lacroix also visited a moving exhibition organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam and Viet Nam National Mine Action Center, showcasing artwork by children from areas heavily contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war. With nearly 20% of Viet Nam’s territory affected, the USG commended national and international efforts—particularly in Mine Action, advanced technologies, and the training of women deminers—to build safer, more resilient communities. “Support to Mine Action is critical to ensure safer futures for these younger generations,” he said.
This year also marks 50 years since the end of the war in Viet Nam. Against this backdrop, Mr. Lacroix’s meetings with Vietnamese officials served as a powerful reminder of the country’s transformation and enduring contributions to international peace and security.