KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 23

The Nepali Army's contribution to united Nations peacekeeping missions is memorable.

The NA has been contributing to UN peacekeeping missions since 1958. It has strongly proved its role in the establishment of peace in warhit countries. Nepali blue helmets have also been playing a commendable role in the areas of education, health, and other humanitarian sectors in the UN peacekeeping mission where they are deployed.

So far, 60 contributors to the world peace keeping missions from Nepal have attained martyrdom while on duty and 66 have sustained serious injuries.

The professionalism of NA personnel has played a crucial role in establishing Nepal's deeper ties with many nations in the world and citizens there, Nepal's foreign relations experts say.

At present, Nepal holds the third position in terms of the number of troops being sent to the peacekeeping missions at the call of the UN, according to the NA. In a 64-year UN efforts to keep world peace intact, 140,366 blue helmets have contributed to 43 missions.

Participants in a programme on 'Need of Work Efficiency in UN Peacekeeping Mission and Future' organised on the occasion of the UN Day said the roles played by the NA under the umbrella of UN peace operations were commendable.

Government Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi was of the view that Nepal's support, cooperation and contribution to the UN peace campaign was incomparable.

'The NA has been abiding by UN instructions during crisis in war-hit countries,' he said, adding, 'It deserves the same role in the future, too.'

Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma said the NA had been efficiently performing its role for the establishment of peace in highly-sensitive zones. 'The NA deputes disciplined, professional, and brave workforce in the management of multi-dimensional conflict seen lately in the world,' the NA Chief said.

On the occasion, General Birame Diop, military adviser in the Department of Peace Operations, UN, released a coffee table book 'Nepali Army: Strengthening Global Peace and Security' with pictures of the activities of the Nepali Peacekeeping Force.

The NA received a message of appreciation from the UN in recognition of its support in world peace efforts, wishing for the success of today's programme.

At the moment, 5,568 soldiers are deployed for peacekeeping in 12 zones in 11 countries of the world.

Similarly, 42 Nepal Police personnel and 194 Armed Police Force personnel are presently deputed to various countries at the call of the UN. The presence of Nepali security force in such countries has largely contributed to the creation and cultivation of military-civic relations. So far, the UN has allocated the responsibility of force commander to nine high-level officers.

At the call of the UN, blue helmets get training at Birendra Peace Training Centre based in Panchkhal of Kavrepalanchowk.

Nepal has already committed to the United Nations that it is capable of sending around 10,000 peacekeepers, if necessary.

The UN founded on 24 October 1945 has won the Nobel Prize for its significant contribution to world peace.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 24, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.