The 14th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group (EWG) on Peacekeeping Operations opens virtually today [April 6] with discussions on the further engagement of member countries.

Vietnamese Sen. Col. Mac Duc Trong at the meeting. Photo: VNA

Co-chaired by Vietnamese Sen. Col. Mac Duc Trong and Japanese Tomoko Matsuzawa, the meeting focuses on the EWG missions for the 4th Round in the 2021-2023 period with the participation of 10 ASEAN member states and its eight Dialogue Partners namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the US.

Representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, the UN Development Program (UNDP) Vietnam, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and defense attaches of ADMM+ in Vietnam.

ASEAN Plus defense attaches. Photo: VNA

Peacekeeping is one of seven key issues of the ADMM+, a platform for ASEAN and its partners to strengthen security and defense cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.

Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus meets annually, to allow enhanced dialogue and cooperation among ASEAN and the Plus Countries in the midst of an increasing challenge to regional security environment.

ASEAN Plus defense attaches. Photo: VNA

The EWG was established under the ADMM-Plus to implement practical initiatives such as joint exercises to respond to security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

Vietnam, since its first mission in 2014, has advanced engagement in peacekeeping operations, sending nearly 200 army officers to take part in the UN peacekeeping missions over the past seven years.

Women account for 17%, higher than the required rate of 8-10% by the UN.