On the morning of June 12, the Ministry of National Defense orchestrated a ceremony to confer upon Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan the presidential and ministerial decision for his assignment at the UN headquarters in New York, USA.

Deputy Minister of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, personally handed over the decision to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan, who currently serves as the Deputy Commander of the Training Center within the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department.

Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, underscored Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan's prestigious appointment, highlighting that he is the 4th officer from the Ministry of National Defense and the 5th from Vietnam to undertake responsibilities at the UN headquarters. In a competitive field comprising 193 countries, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan emerged victorious (alongside Pakistan) as the Military Affairs Officer.

Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh emphasized that this achievement once again underscores the competence of Vietnamese military officers in international environments, particularly in fulfilling the demanding requirements of the United Nations.

In his address during the task assignment ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien commended the outstanding contributions of forces engaged in United Nations peacekeeping activities and extended heartfelt congratulations to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan on this distinguished honor.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien urged Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan to steadfastly adhere to the viewpoints and foreign policies of the Party, State, and Army. He emphasized the importance of upholding military discipline, UN regulations, host country laws, and instructions from competent agencies. Furthermore, he stressed the imperative of prioritizing safety for personnel and equipment, maintaining a strong sense of responsibility and international solidarity, proactively addressing challenges, grasping local situations, and promptly executing assigned duties.

Upon receiving his assignment, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan pledged to uphold internal and international solidarity, demonstrating unwavering determination to fulfill the tasks entrusted by the United Nations, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense. He committed to conducting regular research and assessment to proactively ensure security and safety, promptly addressing challenges during task performance, and actively engaging in humanitarian activities to promote the image of Vietnam and its people.

To secure this prestigious position, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan underwent a rigorous selection process, including document qualification, written tests, and direct interviews. The number of application dossiers from member countries for a single position ranged from 150 to 200.

Prior to his appointment at the UN headquarters, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan served as a Liaison Officer in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (July 2015 - July 2016). He pursued a PhD program in program development at the University of Missouri-Columbia, USA, conducting research on national security and defense strategy at the US National Defense Academy.

Vietnam has deployed over 800 officers and personnel from the Army and Police forces to participate individually and as units in three missions and at the United Nations headquarters. These officers have been lauded by mission leaders, international colleagues, and local residents for their outstanding professionalism, discipline, and substantial contributions to the missions.

The appointment of Senior Lieutenant Colonel Truong Anh Tuan stands as a testament to Vietnam's growing stature on the international stage, reinforcing its commitment to global peacekeeping efforts.

Tran Thuong