Ahead of International Day of UN peacekeepers, UNFICYP’s Force Commander, Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri of Mongolia praised the dedication and commitment of UNFICYP peacekeepers participating in the mission’s annual peacekeeping skills competition. The day long competition aims to ensure all peacekeepers remain agile, fit for purpose and ready to deploy at short notice.
This year, in addition to all the military staff from sectors one, two and four, the Mission’s Mobile Force Reserve and the Force Protection Unit also took part in the challenge along with a team of United Nations Police. A total of 64 peacekeepers from Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Ghana, Hungary, Ireland, Montenegro, Russia, Slovakia, and United Kingdom participated in the summer competition. Eight female peacekeepers also entered the competition.
The peacekeeper skills competition is the biggest event in the Mission’s training calendar and allows peacekeepers to compete within a spirit of cooperation and teamwork. The participating teams showcased their proficiency in endurance running, driving skills, general knowledge, navigation theory, command tasks, emergency response and an assault course. The event was a great opportunity to help build comradeship and teamwork between peacekeepers to ensure operational readiness across the mission's key military, police and civilian components.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, UNFICYP Force Commander, Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri of Mongolia said “I would like to thank you all for your immense efforts, and congratulations to this years’ winning team from the Mobile Force Reserves. This competition is an important part of our ongoing efforts to ensure all peacekeepers are well trained and ready to address peacekeeping challenges across the buffer zone. I am proud of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by all who participated in this years’ peacekeeping skills competition. Your work in Cyprus is an example to us all."