International exercise on peacekeeping starts today

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Feb. 20: The Nepali Army has completed all necessary preparations for conducting the ‘Exercise Shanti Prayas -IV'. The exercise, which aims to enhance the skills and interoperability among troops contributing countries to the United Nations peacekeeping missions, is scheduled to take place at the Shree Birendra Peace Operation Training Centre (BPOTC) in Panchkhal of Kavre district from February 20 to March 4. 

The inaugural session of the exercise, will however, be held at the Army Headquarters, on Tuesday, according to Brigadier General and Spokesperson for the Directorate of Public Relations and Information, Krishna Prasad Bhandari. 

The exercise is a collaborative effort between the Nepali Army and the United States government's Global Peace Operation Initiative. The GPOI focuses on fostering excellence in the proficiency of peacekeeping forces, enhancing mutual coordination capabilities and ensuring interoperability among Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the UN.

This marks the fourth iteration of Nepal-hosted Exercise Shanti Prayas, with the first one conducted in 2000. The second and third editions took place in 2013 and 2017. The upcoming exercise, set to commence on Tuesday, will see participation from military personnel representing 19 nations, including Nepal, said Brigadier General Bhandari.  

A total of 1,125 participants will engage in various events, including 689 individuals in Field Training Events (FTE), 110 in Staff Training Events (STE) and 326 in Critical Enabler and Capability Enhancement (2CE) activities. The exercise aims not only to address challenges encountered in peacekeeping efforts but also to increase awareness among participating nations about the challenges. 

The participating soldiers are expected to develop the necessary skills and adopt a uniform professional approach to overcome these challenges, fostering mutual trust and cooperation in global peacekeeping endeavours, the NA believed.