Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Throughout the years, Nepal has been a leader amongst partner nations in United...... read more read more
PANCHKHAL, Nepal – Throughout the years, Nepal has been a leader amongst partner nations in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
Officially joining the U.N. in 1955, Nepal wasted no time jumping into peacekeeping operations, sending five military observers to the U.N. Observer Group to Lebanon in 1958. Since then, Nepal has been a regular troop contributor to U.N. peacekeeping missions, deploying to Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South and South-East Asia and the Caribbean.
In all, Nepalese peacekeepers have participated in 39 different U.N. missions. To date, Nepal is ranked 6 amongst U.N. partner nations, currently providing more than 4,000 U.N. peacekeepers for various missions around the world. One of 12 Global Peace Operations Initiative partner nations supported by the U.S. Pacific Command, Nepal currently has peacekeepers deployed in various regions of the PACOM area of responsibility.
“Today Nepal is the 6th largest troop contributing nation to peacekeeping missions in the world,” said Maj. Gen. Roger Noble, deputy-commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific. “The Nepalese Army’s tradition goes back to the 50’s, so it’s a long and professional commitment to peacekeeping.”
Launched in 2005 as the U.S. contribution to the G8 action plan for expanding global capability for peace support operations, GPOI is a U.S. Government security assistance program working to strengthen international capacity and capabilities to execute U.N. and regional peace operations.
With a total budget of approximately $935,000,000 from Fiscal Years (FY) 2005-2016, GPOI seeks to accomplish the objectives of building self-sufficient peace operations training capacity in partner countries, supporting development and employment of critical enabling capabilities, providing deployment support, enhancing operational readiness and sustainment capabilities for peace operations, promoting the role of women and gender integration and building U.N. and regional organization capabilities.
“Through GPOI, the U.S. and partner nations achieve and sustain operational effectiveness in peace operations and promote international peace and security,” said Steven Takekoshi, the Multination Programs Specialist with U.S. Pacific Command.
Through GPOI, Nepal has steadily increased its peacekeeping capabilities over the years. With facility upgrades, the Nepalese Army now trains nearly 6,000 peacekeepers yearly.
Initially starting as a peacekeeping camp in 1986, Nepal’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC) is a renowned training institute, which is dedicated for providing training to all Nepalese Army personnel participating in various U.N. peacekeeping operations.
With the BPOTC, Nepal is able to train peacekeepers on combat fitness, weapons conversion training, basic military skills, peace keeping operations training and mission specific training.
One of the crown jewels of the BPOTC is the Kabindra Complex, a multi-million dollar facility designed to host and train U.N. peacekeepers from all across the world. Dedicated in March of 2016, the Kabindra Complex was named after Major Kabindra Jung Thapa, who was killed in the line of duty June 2005 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“His willingness to give his life in defense of the defenseless, and in sacrifice to peace, cannot be forgotten and I think it’s appropriate that this building bears his name,” said Alaina B. Teplitz, U.S. Ambassador to Nepal.
For Nepal and U.N. peacekeeping operations, the future looks bright. With upgrades to the training lanes, barracks, medical facilities and more, Nepal will continue to provide top quality U.N. peacekeeping support for many years.
Overall, the Nepalese Army’s leadership has been pleased with the progress of the BPOTC and its involvement in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
“To accomplish the assigned tasks effectively and efficiently, this center has sufficient capabilities regarding the instruction and infrastructure aspects of training areas and training aids,” said Nepalese Col. Prayog JB Rana, the commandant of the BPOTC.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2017 06:04 |
| Story ID: | 228881 |
| Location: | NP |
| Web Views: | 245 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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