Phnom Sruoch:Cambodia will commemorate the 20th anniversary of its involvement in United Nations peacekeeping operations on October 24, marking two decades since the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces first deployed personnel to UN missions in 2006.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the anniversary ceremony will coincide with the official inauguration of newly completed facilities at the Multinational Peacekeeping Forces Training School in Kampong Speu province.

Cambodia views this milestone as a source of national pride, having evolved from a war-torn nation hosting UN peacekeepers to a contributor to international peace and security. Since its initial deployment in 2006, Cambodia has dispatched approximately 10,000 male and female peacekeepers to 12 missions across 10 countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, Mali, the Central African Republic, Syria, Cyprus, Chad, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Cambodian peacekeepers have engaged in specialized tasks such as mine and unexploded ordnance clearance, engineering and construction, military police duties, Level 2 hospital services, and military observer missions. Their efforts have earned praise and recognition from the United Nations and other countries participating in these missions.

This recognition has further motivated Cambodian peacekeepers to continue their humanitarian efforts and fulfill responsibilities entrusted to them by the United Nations, with a focus on protecting civilians and promoting safety in host countries. Through their participation, Cambodian forces have contributed expertise in mine clearance, engineering, military policing, medical services, and military observation, supporting peace and security in conflict-affected areas.

Cambodia's involvement in UN peacekeeping missions underscores its ongoing commitment to international cooperation and the promotion of global peace and security.